ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effect of Astragalus polysaccharide on the expressions of Nephrin and Desmin in high sugar stimulation mice podocytes. Methods Test one: the cultured mouse podocytes were divided into 5 groups: astragalus polysaccharide group [D－ glucose 30 mmol/L+astragalus polysaccharide (0.0 g/L, 0.1 g/L,0.2 g/L,0.4 g/L and 0.8 g/L) ]. Test two: In test one, we chose the concentration of astragalus polysaccharide which most affected both expression of Nephrin and Desmin in podocytes and named it as astragalus polysaccharide 0. X g/L. The cultured mouse podocytes were divided into 7 groups: astragalus polysaccharide group (D－ glucose 30 mmol/L+astragalus polysaccharide 0.X g/L) had been cultured for 0 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h,24 h,48 h and 72 h, respectively. Test three: Basted on test two, we chose the time which most affected both expression of Nephrin and Desmin in podocytes and named it as Yh. The cultured mouse podocytes were divided into 4 groups: the control group,mannitol hypertonic glucose control group, high sugar group,and astragalus polysaccharide group (high sugar group+ astragalus polysaccharide 0.X g/L) . Each group had been cultured for Yh. Nephrin and Desmin of each subgroup was detected by flow cytometry podocytes and real－time PCR. Results With the intervention of polysaccharide, Nephrin in podocyte cell surface gradually increased, Desmin gradually reduced in a concentration－dependent manner (P＜0.05) . With the intervention of astragalus polysaccharide, Nephrin gradually increase and Desmin expression gradually decreased in a concentration－dependent manner (P＜0.05) . Compared to the control group and the high sugar group,Nephrin mRNA increased and Desmin mRNA decreased in 0.8g/L astragalus polysaccharide co－cultured for 72h (P＜0.05) . Conclusion Astragalus polysaccharide intervention can increase Nephrin and reduce Desmin in podocytes, which are possible targets of Astragalus polysaccharide in treatment of DN proteinuria.