OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the Mortierella isabellina lipid-soluble extracts on improving hyperlipidemia and renal damage in lipid-induced renal injury rats.

METHODSThirty two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: normal group (N), model group (M), the group treated with Mortierella isabellina lipid-soluble extracts (T) and Simvastatin (S). N group was fed a standard diet and the other groups were fed a high-fat diet. T and S groups were orally administered by Mortierella isabellina lipid-soluble extracts and Simvastatin respectively for 12 weeks. N and M groups were orally administered by the normal saline. Twenty four-hour urinary protein excretion was detected. The levels of serum ALB, TP, BUN, Scr, TG, TC, LDL and TG, TC, LDL in the kidney were measured at week 12. The histological change, ultrastructural change and lipid deposits in kidney were evaluated.

RESULTSAt the 12th week, compared with M group, twenty four hour urinary protein excretion and the levels of TC, LDL in serum and renal tissue in T and S group decreased (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), but the levels of ALB and TP in T and S group increased markedly (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference of the levels of BUN, Scr, and TG among the four groups. The protein casts in renal tubules, inflammatory cell infiltration in tubulointerstitium as well as mild mesangial cell proliferation and expanded mesangial matrix were obseverd in M group. Electron micrograph demonstrated massive fusion of foot process of podocytes accompanied with rich lipid droplets in proximal tubular epithelial cells in M group.

CONCLUSIONThe lipid-soluble extracts of Mortierella isabellina has beneficial effect on improving hypercholesterolemia and kidney damage in lipid-induced renal injury rat.