OBJECTIVETo observe the renal protection effects of Compound Shenhua Tablet (CST) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats.

METHODSDN rats were given a normal diet for 9 months after they were induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ at the dose of 65 mg/kg after uninephrectomized. They were randomly divided into 4 groups, i. e., the normal control group, the model control group, the CST group, and the Irbesartan group. The intervention was given by gastrogavage for 6 weeks. The general state, 24 h urine protein, urine micro-albumin (mAlb), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), total protein (TP), and albumin (ALB) levels were observed before and after intervention. Renal pathological changes were observed by PAS staining and transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSAfter 6 weeks of drug intervention, when compared with the model control group, the general state was improved in the CST group and the Irbesartan group. The levels of 24 h urine protein, urine mAlb, SCr, BUN, GLU, TG, and TC were obviously lower in the CST group and the Irbesartan group than in the model group as well as in the same group before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no statistical difference between the two treatment groups (P>0.05). The renal pathological changes and the renal ultrastructure were improved to some degree in the two groups when compared with those in the model control group.

CONCLUSIONSCST could attenuate the renal damage of diabetes and delay renal deterioration process. Its effectiveness was equivalent to that of Irbesartan.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of compound tianpupian (TPP) and its compositions against oxidative damage in mouse erythrocytes. The protective effect of TPP and its compositions against the red cell hemolysis induced by (2)O(2) or auto-oxidation were observed by scanning electron microscopy and spectrophotomety. The result indicated that compound TPP and all of its four components including extract of Rhodiola sachalinensis, Grape Seed Extract proanthocyanidins, Acanthopanax senticosus extract, and tea polyphenols had significant inhibitory activities for the oxidative damage of mouse erythrocytes, out of which the Grape seed extract proanthocyanidins showed the maximal protective effect. It is concluded that compound TPP can protect erythrocytes against oxidative stress and can be used as a valuable Chinese traditional medicine.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Grape Seed Extract ; pharmacology ; Hemolysis ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Proanthocyanidins ; pharmacology ; Rhodiola

The aim of this study was to explore the protective effect of compound tianpupian (TPP) against (2)O(2)-induced the apoptosis of murine splenic lymphocytes and its mechanism. The cell apoptosis rate was detected by MTT method; the cell apoptosis and mitochondrial membrance potential were detected by flow cytometry (FCM) with Annexi-V/PI double staining and JC-1 staining method, respectively; and caspase 3 relative activity was determined by colorimetry. The results indicated that after treating with (2)O(2), the absorbance value of cultured lymphocytes and the red/green ratio of JC-1 were reduced, and the apoptotic rate and caspase 3 activity were increased, coculture of (2)O(2)-treated cells with compound TPP increased the cell absorbance ratio and red/green rate of JC-1, while reduced the apoptosis rate and caspase 3 activity. It is concluded that compound TPP alleviates intracellular oxidative damages and dose-dependently inhibited apoptosis of murine splenic lymphocytes through reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibiting caspase 3 activity. This suggests that compound TPP is a potential anti-apoptotic agent.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Grape Seed Extract ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; adverse effects ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Proanthocyanidins ; pharmacology ; Rhodiola

OBJECTIVETo investigate the reno protective effect of Shenhua recipe on the experimental model of 5/6 renal ablation.

METHOD5/6 renal ablation rats were underlying this experiment. They were administered Shenhua, irbesartan respectively by gavage during 12 weeks. Body weight, systolic blood pressure, proteinuria, Scr, BUN, total protein, albumin, Glycero and cholesterol were measured. Histologic glomenular and tubulointerstitial damage scores were measured at 12 weeks.

RESULTThe treated groups showed significantly less histologic glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage scores at 12 weeks. The plasma albumin were higher ( P < 0.05), urine protein excretion rates, serum cholesterol and creatinine were lower than in nontreated group, but arterial blood pressure was not significantly different in the three Shenhua treated groups compared with nontreated group.

CONCLUSIONShenhua can retard the progression of chronic renal injury in the 5/6 renal ablation without changes in systolic blood pressure.

Albumins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Atractylodes ; chemistry ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Creatinine ; blood ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Disease Progression ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; etiology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Kidney Glomerulus ; pathology ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of compound shenhua tablet (CST) on the residual kidney expressed macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) in rats.

METHODSCST was used to treat 5/6 nephrectomized rats for 12 weeks and the conditions of blood pressure, urinary protein, blood biochemical indices (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen), kidney pathologic change and MIF expression were observed.

RESULTSCST could significantly lower the serum levels of creatinine (P < 0.05), and 24 hrs urinary protein (P < 0.01), reduce the MIF expression and macrophage infiltration in renal glomerulus and tubular mesenchym, and lower the degree of renal glomerular sclerosis and interstitial fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONThe inhibition on the highly expressed MIF may be an important mechanism of the drug in restraining chronic inflammation in residual kidney, delaying the sclerosis and fibrosis progression and protecting renal function.

Albuminuria ; blood ; Animals ; Creatinine ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; pathology ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors ; metabolism ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tablets

OBJECTIVETo explore curative machanism of Shenle capsule on the 5/6 nephrectomy rats.

METHODFibrin plate method was applied to examine activity of urinary plasminogen activator(PA). Semi-quantitative analysis was used to observe stained intensity and area of tissue-type plasminogen activator, urokinas-type plasminogen activator/ plasminogen activator inhibitor(tPA, uPA/PAI-1)in remnant renal tissue. Northern blot was employed to analyze the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF-beta) mRNA.

RESULTIn model control group, the urinary PA activity and protein expression of tPA, uPA were down-regulated, but protein expression of PAI-1, TGF-beta mRNA was up-regulated in remnant renal tissue. In each treated group, the urinary PA activity and protein expression of tPA/uPA were enhanced,but the protein expression of PAI-1, TGF-beta mRNA decreased simultaneously.

CONCLUSIONShenle capsule can delay glomerulosclersis and tubulointerstitial fibrotic lesions of remnant kidney by improving the activity of urinary PA and modulating the expression of tPA, uPA/PAI-1 and TGF-beta mRNA.

Animals ; Capsules ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Leeches ; chemistry ; Male ; Materia Medica ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Nephrectomy ; Plasminogen Inactivators ; metabolism ; Polyporales ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the antiinflammatory effect of a compound TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) agent on animal models. The agent contains ant extractive and a blent of three herbal products, herba epimedii, fructus cnidii, and fructus lycii.

METHODThree animal models to induce experimental inflammation in rats, including carrageenin--induced paw edema, cotton-ball granuloma and adjuvant induced arthritis, were chosen to study the antiinflammatory effect of the TCM agent.

RESULTThe TCM agent showed a marked inhibitory effect on edema induced by all three types of inflammation in rats, the inhibitory rate of the TCM agent at the dose of 0.20, 0.40 and 0.80 g.kg-1 in granuloma model bing over 25% at 1 hour post oral administration, and being 23.8%, 22.7%, 39.7% at 6 hour. In addition, the TCM agent also showed a significant preventive as well as therapeutic effect on adjuvant induced arthritis in rats, and improved the pathological changes of the animal joints with the induced arthritis.

CONCLUSIONTCM agent has significant antiinflammatory effects on the three above mentioned animal models.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Ants ; Arthritis ; drug therapy ; Capsules ; Cnidium ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use ; Edema ; drug therapy ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Granuloma, Foreign-Body ; drug therapy ; Lycium ; chemistry ; Male ; Materia Medica ; therapeutic use ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

The aim of this study was to investigate the immunological function regulated by Fufang Hongjingtian capsule (HJT) in mice. The mice were given ig HJT 25, 250 and 750 mg/kg, once daily, for 30 - 38 d, respectively. The mice in control group were given ig corresponding solvent. After the last time of administration, the immunological parameters of the mice were measured. The results showed that compared with negative control group, the delayed type hypersensitivity, spleen lymphocyte proliferation and number of spleen IgM antibody forming cells increased in HJT groups. In conclusion the HJT has the effect to improve the immunological functions of mice.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Immunoglobulin M ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Rhodiola ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential of renal pathological index as a differential diagnosis factor for Chinese medicine (CM) syndromes typing in IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

METHODSA total of 1,016 patients with IgAN was recruited from November 2001 to November 2004. All the signs and symptoms including picture of the tongue and pulse tracings were collected. All patients were typed according to the CM syndrome typing scheme for chronic primary glomerulopathy. The severity of glomerulus and tubulointerstitial lesions (mild, moderate-severe) were evaluated using lee's grading system and the Katafuchi score system.

RESULTSThe syndrome types transform in turn by deficiency of both the Spleen (Pi) and Lung (Fei) qi, deficiency of both qi and yin, deficiency of Liver (Gan) and Kidney (Shen) yin and deficiency of Spleen-Kidney (Shen) yang, with the aggravation of pathogenetic condition and that the manifestation of deficiency of qi clinically showed proliferative lesion of glomerular mesangium, while the glomerular sclerosis pathologically showed the manifestation of yin deficiency.

CONCLUSIONRenal pathological findings may be a candidate of objective factors to refine CM syndrome typing process.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; classification ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Kidney ; blood supply ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Renal Artery ; pathology ; Syndrome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the prevention effect of salidroside on contrast-induced-nephropathy (CIN) and its underlying mechanism.

METHODSA total of 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 in each group. Rats were firstly administrated with normal saline (control and model groups), N-acetylcysteine (NAC, NAC group) and salidroside (salidroside group) for 7 days before model establishment in each group, respectively. Histopathological analysis was performed by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Oxidative stress related parameters including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), angiotensin II (Ang II), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), mRNA and protein levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity were measured.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the levels of MDA, Ang II and 8-OHdG were all significantly increased and levels of SOD, NO, and eNOS mRNA and protein were decreased significantly in the model group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the NOS activity was also significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.05). In addition, the levels of these parameters were all improved in the NAC (P<0.05) and salidroside groups and no significant different was found between these two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSalidroside can be the potential substitute of NAC to prevent CIN. The underlying mechanism may be associated with oxidative stress damage caused by contrast agents.

Acetylcysteine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Contrast Media ; adverse effects ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Phenols ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects