ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of cytokines Th1 and Th2 in Class V lupus nephritis (V-LN). Methods Serum concentration of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-2 and TNF-α) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13) were simultaneously analyzed using fast quant human Th1/Th2 protein array, and Pearson analysis was used to evaluate the association between cytokines and clinical parameters. Results ① Cytokine profiling: Among the 9 cytokines detected simultaneously by fast quant human Th1/Th2 protein array, the expression of four cytokines was up-regulated obviously, namely, Th1 cytokines (IL-2) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13); that of IL-10 was 10 times above the normal control. ② Pearson correlation analysis: There was a positive correlation between IL-10 and SLEDAI (r=0.877, P<0.01), but a negative correlation between IL-10 and hemoglobin concentration (r=-0.856, P<0.01). There was also a negative correlation between IL-4 and 24h urine protein (r=-0.754, P<0.05), between IL-13 and 24h urine protein (r=-0.769, P<0.05). Besides, IL-1 and creatinine were positively correlated (r=0.784, P<0.05). Conclusion There were extensively abnormal Th2 cytokines in V-LN patients, suggesting that anti-Th2 therapy may produce a marked effect on V-LN.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the possible protective effect of Shenqingyin Decoction on the kidney of experimental diabetic rats and its possible mechanism. Methods Totally 40 rats with diabetes induced by streptozocin were divided into 4 groups: diabetes model group, Shenqingyin group, Benopril group and Shenqingyin-Benopril combination group. After 8 weeks' treatment, blood glucose, renal function and 24h urine protein were measured, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in renal tissues and urine, superoxide diamutase (SOD) activity and serum transformed growth factor-β_1(TGF-β_1) were tested; renal pathological changes were observed with light microscope as well. Results The serum BUN, Scre of all medicine groups were significantly improved, which did not significantly differ from that in control group (P>0.05). However, it had no obvious improving effect on blood sugar. The content of 24h urine protein in all medicine groups was significantly lower than that in model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and Shenqingyin-Benopril combination group had the significantly lower level than the other two medicine groups (P<0.01). MDA in renal tissues and urine, SOD activity and serum TGF-β1 in all medicine groups significantly differed from those in the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and Shenqingyin-Benopril combination group had obvious difference with the other two medicine groups (P<0.01). Light microscopy showed amelioration of different degree in renal pathological changes, but with no significant differences in all medicine groups. Conclusion Shenqingyin Decoction has a protective effect on the kidney of experimental diabetic rats, and it has some synergetic effect when combined with Benopril. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting oxidative stress, improving the body's antioxidant ability and decreasing the expression of inflammatory factor TGF-β_1.