Armutcu F, et al. - The role of ADAMTS proteinases and some of the extracellular matrix (ECM) markers in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis was investigated. Furthermore, the effects of hypoxia upon these biomarkers were determined. In addition to the control group, researchers divided adriamycin (ADR) treated rats into 4 groups as ADR, sham, and two hypoxia groups. The ADR group displayed renal dysfuntion and tissue damage in favor of ECM accumulation and renal fibrosis. Remarkable changes in the expression of ADAMTS such as increased ADAMTS-1, -12 and -15 support this observation. In addition, hypoxia and duration of hypoxia were noted to enhance markers of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the rat kidney tissues. This suggests that the development of renal fibrosis was enhanced with hypoxia. ADAMTS proteases may contribute in early diagnosis and treatment of renal fibrosis.