Artesunate attenuates unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal fibrosis by regulating the expressions of bone morphogenetic protein-7 and uterine sensitization-associated gene-1 in rats

Purpose Kidney fibrosis is the most common final stage of progressive renal disease. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) has been shown to be important in both preservation of kidney function and resistance to injury. Recently, it has been realized that uterine sensitization-associated gene-1 (USAG-1) functions as a kidney-specific BMP antagonist. Because of the reported anti-fibrotic effects of artesunate (Art), this study was designed to investigate the effects of Art on renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms.