Shenkang Protects Renal Function in Diabetic Rats by Preserving Nephrin Expression

Overview

Journal BMC Complement Med Ther

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2023 Jul 17

PMID 37460931

Authors

Zhihui Qu

Biyao Wang

Yingli Jin

Qingfei Xiao

Ying Zhao

Danning Zhao

Liming Yang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Shenkang injection has been used clinically to lower creatinine levels. This study explored the mechanism of Shenkang injection on protecting kidney function from hyperglycemia-mediated damage.

Methods: This study utilized a STreptoZotocin (STZ)-induced rat model of diabetes. In total, 60 rats were randomized into either the control group (n = 15) injected with vehicle or treatment group (n = 45) injected with STZ to induce hyperglycemia. Eight weeks after diabetes onset, diabetic rats were further randomized to receive different treatments for 4 consecutive weeks, including vehicle (diabetic nephropathy group, n = 15), Shenkang (n = 15), or Valsartan (n = 15). At 12 weeks, a series of urine and blood measures were examined and damage to the kidney tissue was examined using histology. Expression of nephrin and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were characterized using immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

Results: Compared to the control group, rats in the diabetic nephropathy group showed significant kidney damage demonstrated by high kidneyindex, high levels of urinary albumin, albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), blood urea nitrogen as well as histological evidence. Shenkang injection significantly improved kidney function in the diabetic rats by decreasing kidney index, ACR, and serum creatinine. Shenkang treatment also mitigated kidney damage, improved nephrin expression, and decreased TGF-β1 expression in the kidneys.

Conclusions: Shenkang treatment protected renal function in diabetic rats by increasing nephrin expression, which protects diabetic rats from hyperglycemia-mediated kidney damage.

Citing Articles

The impact of homocysteine on patients with diabetic nephropathy: a mendelian randomization study.

Wang B, Li H, Wang N, Li Y, Song Z, Chen Y Acta Diabetol. 2024; 62(1):123-130.

PMID: 39105808 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-024-02343-9.

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