OBJECTIVETo investigate effects of Shenshuai Yangzhen capsule, a preparation of traditional Chinese medicine, on remnant renal tissue following nephrectomy in malnutrition rats with chronic renal failure.

METHODSSD rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy and fed 4% casein diet to induce chronic renal failure (CRF), and their blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), serum albumin (ALB), hemoglobin (Hb), 24-hour urineprotein (24-h Upro) and body weight were measured. Upon the onset of malnutrition, the rats were randomized into CRF control group (CC), ketosteril group (KT), and Shenshuai Yangzhen group (SSYZ), with also a normal control group (NC). After 4 weeks of treatment as indicated, the remnant nephrotic tissue was examined under optical and electron microscopes and by immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSMalnutrition occurred in the CRF rats at the end of the 10th weeks after the operation. Compared with those in CC group, the plasma BUN, SCr and 24-h Upro levels in SSYZ group were significantly lower with substantially elevated plasma ALB and Hb. The pathological changes of SSYZ group was significantly improved after treatment with Shenshuai Yangzhen capsule.

CONCLUSIONShenshuai Yangzhen capsule can improve malnutrition and reduce renal damage in rats with renal insufficiency.