Objective To observe the clinical effect of treating diabetic nephropathy with Shengqidihuang decoction combined with metformin. Methods 54 cases with diabetic nephropathy were randomly divided into two groups by means of random number table. Both groups were given diabetic routine treatment. The control group was treated with metformin, 0.25 mg each time, three times a day, based on the diabetic routine treatment for 8 weeks, and the treatment group was treated with Shengqidihuang decoction, once a day, 4 weeks as a course, continuously treated for 2 courses based on the control group. 24 h urinary protein (24hUAE) , serum creatinine (SCr) , blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were detected before and after the treatment. The clinical effect was observed between the two groups after the treatment. Results The total effective rate of the treatment group and the control group was 85.2% and 66.7% respectively, showing a significant difference (λ2=3.376, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, 24 hUA ,SCr, BUN and FBG in the treatment group decreased significantly (λ2=4.231, P<0.05) after the treatment.24hUAE, SCr, BUN and FBG decreased significantly after the treatment, especially in the treatment group, also showing a significant difference (λ2= 3.754, P<0.05). Conclusion The therapy of mefformin combined with Shengqidihuang decoction on diabetic nephropathy was better than metformin only.

AIM: To investigate the changes of oxidative stress in the kidneys and their roles in nephropathy in diabetic rats. METHODS: Diabetic rats were induced by streptozotocin (STZ). 36 rats were divided into three groups randomly: (1) NC group, normal control rats; (2) DM group, diabetic rats received protamine zinc insulin (PZI) 2U-4U/2 d; (3) DT group, diabetic rats received PZI 9-12 U/kg body weigh/day. 12 weeks later, rats were killed, blood glucose, blood cholesterol, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, HbA1c, urinary creatinine, and urinary protein for 24 h were measured. The activities of antioxidant enzymes in renal cortex, including total superoxide dismutase (TSOD), Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), Mn superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and maleic dialdehyde (MDA) were measured by chromatometry. RT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of different antioxidant enzymes mRNA. RESULTS: For all the targets we measured, there was no significant difference between NC and DT groups. Compared with the other two groups, the levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, trigalloyl glycerol, HbA1c in DM group increased significantly. The activities of TSOD, Cu-Zn SOD and CAT decreased significantly. The activity of GSH-Px increased significantly. There was no significant difference among the activities of Mn SOD in all three groups. The level of MDA in DM group was much higher than that in NC or DT group. The relative expression levels of GSH-Px and Cu-Zn SOD mRNA in DM group were higher than those in other two groups, while the relative expression level of CAT decreased. Mn SOD mRNA was expressed without significant difference in all groups. Compared with NC or DT group, urinary protein in DM group increased significantly, while creatinine clearance rate decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemia affected the expression of antioxidant enzymes. Oxidative stress was caused by hyperglycemia in diabetic rats and may be an important factor in the etiology of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To study a fingerprint of raw material of Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati from(various) habitats by RP-HPLC. Methods Kromasil C_(18) column(150 mm?4.6 mm,5 ?m) was used,with mixtures of acetonitrile and water as mobile phase in a gradient mode.The flow rate was 1 mL/min and wavelength was 303 nm.Results According to the optimum chromatographic conditions,a good fingerprint of Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati has been described.Conclusion The method is simple and accurate with good reproducibility.It may be practical value for the quality control of sample for Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati from various habitats.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in adult men. Heat shock proteins (HSPs),as molecular chaperones widely involved in the pathogenesis,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of various cancers,play crucial biological functions in prostate cancer and it can be considered as valuable biomarkers for cancer therapy, such as prostate-specific membrane antigen. As a member of the heat shock protein family, HSP27 is related to prostate cancer castration resistance,and its expression can promote tumor resistance,invasion and bone metastasis,making prostate cancer more invulnerable to treatments. Therefore,targeting HSP27 in prostate cancer can be perceived as one promising cancer treatment strategy. This article reviews the structure and function of HSP27,and its potential role on castration resistance and targeted therapy in order to provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of prostate cancer.