ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether total triterpene acids (TTAs), isolated from Cornus Fructus, attenuates renal function by reducing oxidative stress and down-regulating the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diabetes was induced by an injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg intravenously). Thirty rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, diabetic model group and TTAs treatment group (50 mg/kg, intragastrically) administrated for 8 weeks from 5th to 12th week. All rats were anaesthetized and then were killed to remove kidneys. The renal function and redox enzyme system parameters were tested. Glomerular morphology was observed by a light microscopy. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays were employed to determine the protein levels of TGF-β1.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TTAs attenuated the levels of urinary protein, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, although it did not significantly reduce the level of glucose. In addition, TTAs decreased the malondialdehyde while increased superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxide activities in diabetic rats. The renal pathological changes in TTAs treatment group were ameliorated. Furthermore, TTAs also ameliorated the expression of TGF-β1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TTAs improved renal function via reducing oxidative stress and down-regulation the expression of TGF-β1 in diabetic rats.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Blood Glucose , Metabolism , Blood Urea Nitrogen , Blotting, Western , Body Weight , Catalase , Metabolism , Cornus , Chemistry , Creatinine , Metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental , Blood , Drug Therapy , Pathology , Disease Progression , Glutathione Peroxidase , Metabolism , Hypertrophy , Kidney , Pathology , Kidney Function Tests , Malondialdehyde , Metabolism , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Streptozocin , Superoxide Dismutase , Metabolism , Transforming Growth Factor beta1 , Metabolism , Triterpenes , Pharmacology , Therapeutic UsesABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of icariin on the streptozocin (STZ)-induced epididymis impair in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The epididymis impair was induced by injection of streptozocin at dosage of 60 mg/kg ip in SD rats. Animals were randomly divided into six groups (n = 14): normal control, model group, three icariin treated group with different dosages (P.O, 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg especially) and rosiglitazone group (P.O, 3 mg/kg), 12 weeks later, animals were sacrificed. The level of serum glucose, the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acid phosphatase (ACP), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT), alpha-glucosidase activity as well as sialic acid (SA), fructose level in the epididymis were determined. The pathological examination was performed under microscope after the epididymis was fixed by 4% poly-formalin and stained by HE.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control, the activity of LDH, ACP, gamma-GT and alpha-glucosidase in the epididymis revealed a decline, with lower level of SA and fructose. Histological examination showed that mature spermatocytes in the epididymis markedly decreased. These alterations were ameliorated in the groups with the treatment of icariin at 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg, but not at 20 mg/kg.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Icariin ameliorated the signs of epididymis in diabetic rats induced by streptozocin, this effect might carry out by promoting the elevation of special enzyme and energy metabolism in the epididymis.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Acid Phosphatase , Metabolism , Blood Glucose , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental , Epididymis , Flavonoids , Pharmacology , Fructose , Metabolism , L-Lactate Dehydrogenase , Metabolism , N-Acetylneuraminic Acid , Metabolism , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , alpha-Glucosidases , Metabolism , gamma-Glutamyltransferase , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the protective effects and investigate the possible mechanism of total flavonoids of herba epimedii (TFE) on diabetic testopathy in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diabetic animal model was produced by a single injection of alloxan ( 70 mg/kg, i.v.) in mice. The mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10): control group, model group and TFE group (100 mg/kg, p.o.), administrated for 8 weeks continuously. The level of serum testosterone and blood glucose were measured after 24 hours in the last administration. Detect the specific biochemical indicators of testis: superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA). Meanwhile, the morphology of testis was observed under light microscope by HE and MASSION dyeing. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the level of matrix metalloprotein (MMP)9.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with control group, glucose and the content of MDA in testicular tissues increased while the levels of serum testosterone and SOD decreased remarkably in model group. Detection of pathology showed that the diameters of seminiferous tubules, various grades of spermatogenic cell decreased and collagen fibrosis hyperplasia in testicular tissues, the expression of (MMP9) were decreased in model group. These alterations were significantly improved in TFE group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TFE ameliorated the alterations of testis inalloxan-induced mice through promoting the testosterone release, anti-oxidation and improving the expression of MMP9.</p>