Objective To evaluate the efficacy of nuvastatin on the high level of serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and itsclinical significance in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy. Methods In this study, 104 patients with microalbu-winuric type 2 diebetic h?phropathy) were divided into two groups randomly: the flu vastatin. group (zomg per day P.O. )and the control group. The efficacy at 6 weeks' beatment was evaluated. The serum Lp(a) concentration and the activityof tissue-type plasminogen activator(tPA ) and plasminogen activator inhibitor(PAI) were measured by enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay and chromogenic substances assay respechtively in all of the patients. Results At the beginning. ser-um Lp(a ) level and PAI activity along with a low tPA activity were abnormally high in every patient. In addition, the levelof Ccr was unconventionally high. After 6 weeks,the level of serum Lp(a) and the activity of PAI and tPA were cowectedsignilicanily in the teated group compared with the other group(P

objective To observe the effects of megsin gene transfection on glomerular mesangial cells(GMCs)and the expression of platelet-derived growth factor-BB(PDGF-BB),phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase(pERK1/2),transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)and type Ⅳ collagen under high concentration of glucose,and to investigate the impact of megsin gene transfection on the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)siginal pathway. Methods Cultured mesangial cells were divided into seven groups:low glucose group (group A,5.5 mmol/L),high glucose group(group B,30 mmol/L),high glucose plus empty vector group (group C), high glucose plus megsin expression plasmid group (group D), high glucose plus megsin expression plasmids plus U0126 group (group E), high glucose plus megsin siRNA expression plasmids group (group F) and low glucose plus mannitol (24.5 mmol/L,group G). The expressions of megsin, PDGF-BB, pERK1/2, TGF-β1, as well as type Ⅳ collagen in GMCs of each group were detected by Western blotting, after being cultured for 12, 24 and 48 hours respectively. The concentration of type Ⅳ collagen in cell supernatant was measured by radioimmunochemistry. Results Compared with group A, the expression of megsin was increased in GMCs under high glucose medium, with an increase of PDGF-BB, pERK1/2, TGF-β1 in GMCs and type Ⅳ collagen in the supernatants (P＜0.05, respectively). The expression of above indices was in time-dependant manner. The over expression of megsin in exposure to high up-regulated the expression of PDGF-BB, pERK1/2, TGF-β1 and type Ⅳ collagen(P＜0.05, respectively). Compared with group D, the application of U0126 (pERK1/2 inhibitor) had no significant effect on the expression of megsin and PDGF-BB(P＞0.05, respectively). However, the expression of pERK 1/2,TGF-β1 and type Ⅳ collagen were obviously decreased (P＜0.05, respectively). Dowa-regulated expression of megsin by siRNA transfection decreased the expression of PDGF-BB, pERK1/2, TGFβ1 and type Ⅳ collagen(all P＜0.05). Conclusions The expression of megsin and PDGF-BB in GMCs with transfected megsin gene in high glucose medium is increased, possibly in a way of activating ERK signal pathway to some extent that boosts both the expression of TGF-β1 and the production of type Ⅳ collagen. The transfection of megsin siRNA inhibits the expression of obove indices, which probably contributes to the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To observe the effects of uric acid (UA) on mitochondrial oxidative damage and apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2),and investigate the possible mechanism.Methods HK-2 cells were exposed to UA (480 μmol/L,720 μmol/L) for different time (0 h,24 h,48 h)in vitro.The mitochondrial ROS production was detected by MitoSOX staining.The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by JC-1 staining.The expressions of prohibitin and AIF were examined by Western blotting and irnmunofluorescence cytochemistry.The cell apoptosis was measured by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining.Results The mitochondrial ROS production in HK-2 cells exposed to 480 μ mol/L UA was increased than that of control group at 24 h (P ＜ 0.05),and increased gradually with UA concentration and incubation time increasing,while the mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced at the same time.There were no significant changes in AIF expression and apoptosis rate of HK -2 cells exposed to 480 μmol/L UA for 24 h compared with that of control group (P ＞ 0.05),while both of them were up-regulated when HK-2 cells were exposed to 480 μmol/L UA for 48 h and 720 μmol/L JA for 24 h and 48 h (P ＜ 0.05).The prohibitin expression in HK-2 cells exposed to 480 μmol/L UA was reduced than that of control group at 24 h (P ＜ 0.05),and down-regulated gradually with UA concentration and incubation time increasing.Conclusion Uric acid can induce the mitochondrial ROS production increased,the mitochondrial membrane potential reduced,the prohibitin expression down-regulated and the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway activated in HK-2 cells.

Objective To investigate the effect of benazepril on intergrin-linked kinase (ILK) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in glomerular mesangial cells induced by high-glucose.Methods The mesangial cells from SD rat (HBZY-1) were cultured conventionally and randomly divided into four groups:normal glucose (D-glucose 5.5 mmol/L,group NG),mannitol-treated group (mannitol 20 mmol/L,group MG),high glucose (D-glucose 30 mmol/L,group HG),Benazepril-treated high glucose group (D-glucose 30 mmol/L + Benazepril 10 μmol/L,group ACEI).Cells from NG,MG,HG,ACEI gronps were harvested after 3,6,12,24,48 and 72 hours of treatment respectively.The mRNA expressions of ILK and α-SMA were detected by RT-PCR.The protein levels of ILK and α-SMA were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence.Results The expressions of ILK mRNA and protein in HG group were significantly increased compared with those in NG group (all P ＜ 0.05).The increased expressions of ILK and α-SMA in HG group were time-dependent and the expression reached the peak at 48 h (ILK,P ＜ 0.05) or 72 h (α-SMA,P ＜ 0.01).The expressions of ILK and α-SMA in ACEI group were lower than those in HG group (all P ＜ 0.01),but failed to rescue to the same level as those in NG.There was no significant differences of ILK expressions between MG group and NG group at the same time point (P ＞ 0.05).The expressions of α-SMA mRNA and protein in MG were higher than that in NG (P ＜ 0.05),which suggest that high osmotic pressure could cause the increasing of α-SMA.Conclusions Benazepril can decrease the expressions of ILK and α-SMA to inhibit the process of fibrosis in DN and mediate the phenotypic transformation of glomerular mesangial cells.The phenotypic transformation of glomerular mesangial cells in glucose may also depend on high osmotic pressure in DN.

Micro RNAs are a kind of conserved short non-coding RNAs that regulate life activities at molecular level. Micro RNAs are active in various stages of autophagy after ischemic stroke; micro RNAs play protective or destructive roles in autophagy after stroke. Based on the autophagy process, we discuss the possible mechanism of autophagy regulated by micro RNAs through autophagy related genes or pathways, and analyze the application prospect of micro RNAs in stroke diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE To explore the intervention effect and related mechanism of Tongxinluo capsule on renal fibrosis in rats with diabetic nephropathy （DN）. METHODS Eight rats were selected as control group （ordinary feed）， the remaining rats were given high-glucose and high-fat diet combined with ip injection of streptozotocin （35 mg/kg） to induce DN model. Model rats were randomly divided into model group （purified water）， irbesartan group （positive control， 14.12 mg/kg） and Tongxinluo capsule group （0.3 g/kg）， including 12 rats in the model group and 11 rats for each of the other two groups. All groups were given relevant medicine or water intragastrically， once a day， for 16 consecutive weeks. After the last medication， fasting blood glucose and 24 h urinary total protein （24 h UTP） were detected. Pathological changes in renal cortex of rats in each group were observed. Serum levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator （PA） and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 （PAI-1） were measured. mRNA expressions of transforming growth factor-β（1 TGF-β1）， type Ⅳ collagen（COL-Ⅳ）， Wnt4 and β-catenin in renal cortex of rats were detected. The protein depositions or expressions of TGF-β1， COL-Ⅳ， focal adhesion kinase （FAK）， integrin-linked kinase （ILK）， E-cadherin， PA， PAI-1， Wnt4 and β-catenin in renal cortex of rats were observed or determined. RESULTS Compared with model group， 24 h UTP of rats in Tongxinluo capsule group were all significantly reduced （P＜0.05）； pathological damage and fibrosis of renal cortex were relieved； the expression of PA in serum and renal cortex was significantly increased， while PAI-1 level was significantly reduced （P＜0.05）； the depositions of COL-Ⅳ and TGF-β1 in renal cortex were all reduced， and corresponding mRNA expression was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）； the depositions of ILK and FAK were decreased， while the deposition of E-cadherin was increased； protein and mRNA expressions of Wnt4 and β-catenin were significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Tongxinluo capsule can relieve pathological damage to renal tissue and renal fibrosis of DN model rats， and reduce extracellular matrix deposition. The mechanism may be related to regulation of fibrinolytic system activity， the decrease of ILK and FAK expression， and inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Taohong siwu decoction modified granules on podocyte epithelial- mesenchymal-transition （EMT） and renal fibrosis in diabetic kidney disease （DKD） model rats. METHODS Eight rats were selected as normal group （ordinary feed）； the remaining rats were given a high-glucose and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （35 mg/kg） to induce the DKD model. Model rats were randomly divided into model group， irbesartan group [positive control， 13.5 mg/（kg·d）] and modified Taohong siwu decoction group [6.48 g/（kg·d）]， with 8 rats in each group. All groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically， once a day， for 16 consecutive weeks. Twenty-four- hour urinary total protein （24 h UTP） was detected at the end of the 4th， 8th， 12th and 16th week of administration. After the last medication， the body mass， water intake， food intake， urine output， the levels of fasting blood glucose， serum creatinine （Scr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） as well as mRNA and protein expressions of P-cadherin， nephrin， α -smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， Wilms’ tumor gene 1 （WT1）， transforming growth factor-β1（ TGF-β1） and type Ⅳ collagen （Col-Ⅳ） in renal tissue were determined. The pathological and morphological changes in renal tissue were observed and the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane was determined. RESULTS Compared with the model group， 24 h UTP of rats was significantly decreased in modified Taohong siwu decoction group since the 8th weekend （P＜0.05）； the body weight of rats increased significantly， but the amount of water intake and urine decreased significantly； Scr and BUN level， mRNA expression of α-SMA， mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-β1 and Col-Ⅳ were significantly reduced， while the mRNA expressions of P-cadherin， nephrin and WT1 were increased significantly （P＜0.05）； the protein deposition of α-SMA was reduced， protein depositions of P-cadherin， nephrin and WT1 were increased； the pathological damage and fibrosis of renal tissue were relieved； the thickness of glomerular basement membrane was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Taohong siwu decoction modified granules can inhibit the EMT of podocyte in DKD model rats， and alleviate renal pathological damage and podocyte damage， thus protecting renal function， and delaying the process of renal fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Taohong siwu decoction modified granules on podocyte epithelial- mesenchymal-transition （EMT） and renal fibrosis in diabetic kidney disease （DKD） model rats. METHODS Eight rats were selected as normal group （ordinary feed）； the remaining rats were given a high-glucose and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （35 mg/kg） to induce the DKD model. Model rats were randomly divided into model group， irbesartan group [positive control， 13.5 mg/（kg·d）] and modified Taohong siwu decoction group [6.48 g/（kg·d）]， with 8 rats in each group. All groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically， once a day， for 16 consecutive weeks. Twenty-four- hour urinary total protein （24 h UTP） was detected at the end of the 4th， 8th， 12th and 16th week of administration. After the last medication， the body mass， water intake， food intake， urine output， the levels of fasting blood glucose， serum creatinine （Scr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） as well as mRNA and protein expressions of P-cadherin， nephrin， α -smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， Wilms’ tumor gene 1 （WT1）， transforming growth factor-β1（ TGF-β1） and type Ⅳ collagen （Col-Ⅳ） in renal tissue were determined. The pathological and morphological changes in renal tissue were observed and the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane was determined. RESULTS Compared with the model group， 24 h UTP of rats was significantly decreased in modified Taohong siwu decoction group since the 8th weekend （P＜0.05）； the body weight of rats increased significantly， but the amount of water intake and urine decreased significantly； Scr and BUN level， mRNA expression of α-SMA， mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-β1 and Col-Ⅳ were significantly reduced， while the mRNA expressions of P-cadherin， nephrin and WT1 were increased significantly （P＜0.05）； the protein deposition of α-SMA was reduced， protein depositions of P-cadherin， nephrin and WT1 were increased； the pathological damage and fibrosis of renal tissue were relieved； the thickness of glomerular basement membrane was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Taohong siwu decoction modified granules can inhibit the EMT of podocyte in DKD model rats， and alleviate renal pathological damage and podocyte damage， thus protecting renal function， and delaying the process of renal fibrosis.