Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomerulonephritis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Tablets ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in differential renal function (DRF), as a functional outcome, in children who underwent redo pyeloplasty for management of failed pyeloplasty and to examine the factors that affect functional outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and November 2010, a total of 18 patients who underwent redo pyeloplasty for persistent ureteropelvic junction obstruction after failed pyeloplasty were enrolled in this study. We assessed perioperative factors and evaluated changes in renal cortical thickness (RCT), renal function, and hydronephrosis by use of serial ultrasound and diuretic renography. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 44.83+/-28.86 months. After redo pyeloplasty, prevention of further functional deterioration was observed in only 12 of the 18 patients. After dividing the patients according to this observation, we discovered significant differences in both change in DRF (dDRF) and change in RCT (dRCT) (difference between before and after initial pyeloplasty) between the two groups (p<0.001). Additionally, we noted a significant positive correlation between dRCT and dDRF. All patients showed improvements in hydronephrosis grade and relief of symptoms compared with before redo pyeloplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Redo pyeloplasty should be considered in cases of failed pyeloplasty to preserve renal function and obtain relief from symptoms. If patients show severe deterioration of DRF or a decrease in RCT after initial pyeloplasty, preservation of DRF in these patients after redo pyeloplasty could be difficult. Therefore, redo pyeloplasty should be performed before severe deterioration of DRF or decrease in RCT.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis/etiology/ultrasonography ; Infant ; Kidney/*physiopathology/ultrasonography ; Kidney Cortex/pathology ; Kidney Function Tests/methods ; Kidney Pelvis/*surgery/ultrasonography ; Male ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis ; Reoperation/adverse effects/methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Failure ; Treatment Outcome ; Ureteral Obstruction/complications/pathology/*surgery ; Ureteral Obstruction/*surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) against apoptosis of the superficial cells of rat renal cortex following femoral fracture in rats.

METHODSNinety Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups, namely the fracture group (n=36), fracture with PNS treatment group (n=36), and normal control group (n=18). At 1, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after femoral fracture, 6 rats from first two groups and 3 from the control group were sacrificed to observe renal pathologies with HE-staining. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to detect Bcl-2 and Bax expression, and TUNEL staining was employed to detect the distribution of apoptotic cells.

RESULTSIn the fracture group, the renal cortex showed telangiectasia and granular degeneration of proximal tubule, which were lessened in the PNS treatment group. Compared with the control group, the fracture group showed significantly increased Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 mRNA expressions in the renal cortex at 1-12 h (P<0.01) and increased Bax protein expression at 12-36 h (P<0.01) with increased Bax mRNA expression at 24-48 h (P<0.01). In PNS treatment group, Bcl-2 protein expression at 1 h and Bcl-2 mRNA expression at 12-48 h were significantly higher (P<0.01), but Bax protein and mRNA expressions at 24-48 h were significantly lower (P<0.01) than those in the fracture group.

CONCLUSIONFemoral fracture obviously affects Bcl-2 and Bax protein and mRNA expressions in the superficial cells of the renal cortex, PNS can suppress the cell apoptosis by down-regulating Bax expression and up-regulating Bcl-2 expression.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Femoral Fractures ; pathology ; Kidney Cortex ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of C-type natriuretic peptides (CNP) and natriuretic peptide receptor-B (NPR-B) receptor in diabetic rats renal cortex, and the regulation by Tongluo Recipe (TLR).

METHODSSixty male SD rats were divided into 3 groups: the normal control group, diabetic model group and diabetic TLR group. Each group was further divided into two subgroups of ten in each, according to 4-week or 12-week observation period. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were treated with TLR (1.0 g·kg(-1)·d(-1)) for 4 and 12 weeks, respectively. (1) The essential information was collected for comparing renal mass, serum creatinine and 24 h urine albumen on each group was calculated. (2) CNP mRNA and NPR-B mRNA were detected by realtime-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on rats renal cortex. (3) Concentration of CNP on renal cortex or serum were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). (4) Pathological evaluation and NPR-B immunostaining for renal tissue were also performed.

RESULTS(1) CNP and NPR-B mRNA levels were detected in each treated or untreated group, with slight elevated in untreated diabetes rats administrated with STZ after 4-week and CNP mRNA level remarkable elevated at 39.21 times higher than normal control group after 12 weeks, but NPR-B mRNA level showed a remarkably down-regulation at 98.07% after 12 weeks. CNP mRNA of TLR-treated group was also elevated after 12-week treatment, but less than untreated group. (2) Concentrations of CNP in renal cortex were obviously increased in treated or untreated diabetes rats, within these groups the treatment of TLR was found more significantly on prompting CNP concentration. Comparing to normal group, serum concentrations of CNP were also increased in treated or untreated diabetic groups, but there was no difference between these diabetic groups. (3) Renal lesions like glomerular volume increased are observed mostly in the relative early stage after 4 weeks. Although TLR treated group had no significant difference in their glomerular volume, the degrees of injury of glomerulus were ameliorated, as well as the NPR-B immunostaining enhanced in glomerulus. Weakly positive immunostaining of NPR-B are observed in glomerulus of normal control, and negative in glomerulus of untreated diabetes rats administrated with STZ after 12 weeks, whereas TLR-treatment groups showed a little enhancement.

CONCLUSIONCNP and NPR-B showed different characteristic on renal cortex at different pathological period in diabetes rats, and TLR regulated their expression.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Hematuria ; complications ; genetics ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type ; genetics ; metabolism ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Staining and Labeling ; Streptozocin

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Yanggan Yishui Granule (YGYSG) on 12-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) on plasma angiotensin II (Ang II), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) content and renal cortical Ang II, TGF-beta1, CTGF mRNA expressions, and to further explore the mechanism of YGYSG in the kidney protection.

METHODSForty 12-week-old male SHR were randomized into the model group, the Bella Plymouth group (at the daily dose of 1.8 mg/kg), the YGYSG low dose group (at the daily dose of 5.4 g/kg), and the YGYSG high dose group (at the daily dose of 27 g/kg), 10 in each group. Another ten Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were included as the control group. Equal volume of normal saline was given to SHR by gastrogavage in the model group and the normal control group, once a day for six weeks. The plasma Ang II, TGF-beta1 and CTGF concentrations, and the renal cortical Ang II, TGF-beta1, CTGF mRNA expressions were measured in each group.

RESULTSBella Plymouth was superior to YGYSG in reducing plasma Ang II, TGF-beta1 and CTGF, while the high and low dose YGYSG showed no significant difference (P>0.05). In reducing plasma Ang II, TGF-beta1 and CTGF mRNA expressions, low doses YGYSG was similar to the role of Bella Plymouth, and the role of high dose YGYSG was superior to low dose YGYSG and Bella Plymouth.

CONCLUSIONYGYSG played a role in kidney protection mainly through reducing the Ang II , TGF-beta1 and CTGF expressions of kidney.

Angiotensin II ; blood ; metabolism ; Animals ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; blood ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Cortex ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antifibrotic effect of the Chinese herbs Modified Danggui Buxue Decoction (, MDBD) on adraimycin-induced nephropathy in rats.

METHODSThirty-two male Sprague Dawley albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control, model, and two treatment groups, with 8 in each group. Nephropathy was induced in the latter 3 groups by intravenous injection of adriamycin. Rats in the two treatment groups received intragastric administration of benazepri (a positive control) or MDBD, which is composed of extracts of Radix Angelicae sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge and Rhizoma chuanxiong. Serum albumin, blood lipids, 24-h urine protein and urine N-acetyl-b-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were measured every 2 weeks. The ratio of kidney to body weight was measured. The expressions of extracellular matrix proteins in the renal cortex, including colleagen IV (Col-IV) and fibronectin (FN), were examined by immunohistochemistry, and the transcription of genes encoding transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), the tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the end of the 8-week treatment.

RESULTSCompared with the untreated rats in the model group, MDBD significantly increased serum albumin, lowered the blood lipids and decreased the ratio of kidney to body weight. MDBD significantly reduced the excretion levels of urinary protein and NAG as well as the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), including Col-IV and FN, in the renal cortex. Further, MDBD decreased TIMP-1 and TGF-β1 gene expressions and increased MMP-9 gene expression in the kidney.

CONCLUSIONSMDBD was effective in treating the rat model of nephropathy. The clinical benefit was associated with reduction of renal fibrosis. The antifibrotic effect of MDBD may be mediated through the regulation of TIMP-1, MMP and TGF-β1 gene expressions.

Acetylglucosaminidase ; urine ; Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Doxorubicin ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Fibrosis ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney Cortex ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kidney Diseases ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; urine ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum Albumin ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) and Caspase-12 and their relationship with apoptosis in renal cortex of diabetic rats.

METHODSUninephrectomized Wistar rats were used to induce diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (STZ 65 mg/kg). After 8 weeks, the expression and distribution of GRP78, Caspase-12, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were examined by immunohistochemistry. Flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of protein of GRP78 and Caspase-12. Apoptosis was evaluated by means of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated d-UDP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and Flow cytometry. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and 24-hour urine protein excretion were checked.

RESULTSCompared with those in normal control group, the numbers of apoptosis and the expression of GRP78, Caspase-12 in glomerular and tubular cells were much higher in the diabetic kidneys at 8 weeks. There was no significant difference between group A and group B.

CONCLUSIONActivation of endoplasmic reticulum stress may play an important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 12 ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; pathology ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Kidney Cortex ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVESTo explore the effects and significance of Huanshuai Recipe Oral Liquid (, HSR), a formula with supplementing qi, nourishing blood and activating blood on restructuring glomerular microvasculature and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in subtotal nephrectomized (SNX) rats.

METHODSA total of 76 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: 16 in the sham-operated group and fed with tap water 10 mL/kg per day; 20 in the model group were operated with 5/6 SNX and fed with tap water 10 mL/ kg per day; 20 SNX rats in the HSR group were treated with HSR 10 mL/kg per day; 20 SNX rats in the losartan group were treated with losartan 40 mg/kg per day. Serum creatinine (SCr) and urinary protein excretion (Upro) were examined at the 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks of the treatment, and the remnant kidneys were harvested. Changes in histological microstructure were evaluated using light microscopy, and the expression of VEGF was detected by using ELISA.

RESULTSUpro, microvasculature injury and glomerulosclerosis were found to be alleviated in HSR and Losartan groups, respectively. The change of VEGF expression showed positive correlation with glomerular capillary area and peritubular capillary number (r=0.448, r=0.422, P<0.01), but negative correlation with that of SCr and Upro (r=-0.592, r=-0.481, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSHSR could regulate the VEGF expression, reduce the loss of microvasculature, which demonstrated similar renal protective effects to losartan in SNX rats. Examination of Chinese herbal medicine influence on VEGF signaling and restructuring renal microvasculature may elucidate the molecular mechanism of renal protection to a certain degree.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Capillaries ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Creatinine ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Matrix ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Kidney Glomerulus ; blood supply ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Microvessels ; drug effects ; Nephrectomy ; Proteinuria ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Time Factors ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects and mechanism of extract of Apocynum venetum (AV) on kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The indexes of the blood glucose, renal function and oxidative stress were observed. The DM rats were administrated with the AV for 8 weeks, the above-mentioned indexes were detected. The blood glucose level, BUN, 24 h urine protein excretion, urine volume, renal index, renal cortex's MDA level in model groups all increased significantly. Renal cortex's SOD and GSH activities decreased significantly compared with the normal control group (P < 0.05). The above-mentioned indexes were significantly improved by the AV treatment (P < 0.05). AV have protective effects on renal function of kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, and maybe via inhibition of the renal oxidative stress.
Animals ; Apocynum ; chemistry ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fructosamine ; blood ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Kidney Cortex ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a practical task in daily forensic casework. Researches on PMI is an important practical project in forensic field. Estimation of the time since death is influenced by internal and external, antemortem and postmortem factors, thus the old methods have limitations. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has been applied to study the pure protein, nucleic acid and carbohydrate and to detect the changes in complex cells and tissues. At present because the powerful software has could be used to achieve the spectrum transformation, smoothing, baseline correction and normalization, it is possible to analyze the samples quantitatively with the FTIR which has been applied in the biology and clinical medicine. This paper has reviewed the mechanism of FTIR and its application in biomedicine. The postmortem FTIR spectral changes were also discussed, which showed its potential for estimating PMI.
Animals ; Forensic Pathology/methods* ; Glycogen/biosynthesis* ; Humans ; Kidney Cortex/metabolism* ; Lung/metabolism* ; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Nucleic Acids/metabolism* ; Postmortem Changes ; Rats ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared/methods* ; Spleen/metabolism* ; Temperature ; Time Factors