Objective       To determine the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) in rats with chronic kidney fibrosis

and changes of the expression after the treatment of statins and Angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker

irbesartan.       Methods      

A total of 40 healthy adult male rats were divided into 4 groups

that is

unilateral ureteral obstruction group (UUO

n

=10)

sham operation group (

n

=10)

lovastatin (20 mg/L) and irbesartan (60 mg/L) intervention group (

n

=10)

and irbesartan intervention group (

n

=10). Normal saline and corresponding drugs were given to corresponding rats in 2 d before operation. In 2 weeks after operation

the renal tissues were observed for histopathological changes.  In situ hybridization was applied to measure collagen in the kidney

and Western blotting was used to detect the expression of HIF-1α and HSP47 in the renal tubulointerstitium.       Results       In 2 weeks after UUO operation

HIF-1α mRNA and protein were highly expressed in the cytoplasm of renal interstitial cells in UUO group than in sham operation group. The expression of HIF-1α mRNA was positively correlated with that of HSP47 mRNA (r=0.715

P0.01). Meanwhile

the level of HIF-1α mRNA and protein

and HSP47 mRNA was also down-regulated （

P

0.05）

especially after union treatment of lovastatin and irbesartan.       Conclusion       Combined treatment of lovastatin and irbesartan may decrease the expression of HIF-1α and HSP47 in tubulointerstiltium to protect kidney in rat models of developing nephritis.