OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Herbal Compound 861 (Cpd 861) on collagen synthesis and degradation in rat mesangial cells exposed to high glucose.

METHODSThe third to fifth passage of rat mesangial cells were exposed to high glucose and Cpd 861 at a concentration of 0.25-4.00 g/L for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. Benazepril (10(-7)-10(-3) mmol/L) was selected as positive control. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the effect of Cpd 861 on cell proliferation. After incubation with Cpd 861 at a concentration of 2.00 g/L for 48 h, the protein secretions of collagen type IV, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. And rat mesangial cells were harvested to determine MMP-9, TIMP-1, TGF-β1 and HGF mRNA expression by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSCpd 861 inhibited cell proliferation induced by high glucose in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Compared with high glucose, collagen type IV production was decreased significantly by Cpd 861 (P<0.01). Cpd 861 increased the protein secretions and mRNA expressions of MMP-9 and HGF, whereas the protein secretions and mRNA expressions of TIMP-1 and TGF-β1 were reduced markedly (P<0.05). The ratio of MMP-9 to TIMP-1 was enhanced by Cpd 861 significantly. There was no significant difference in all above-mentioned effects between Cpd 861 (2.00 g/L) and benazepril (10(-5) mmol/L).

CONCLUSIONThe anti-glomerulosclerosis mechanisms of Cpd 861 were partly attributed to its effects of inhibiting mesangial cell proliferation, decreasing collagen synthesis and enhancing collagen degradation.