Effects of Shenshuai Yangzhen capsule on hypothalamic leptin-neuropeptide and proopiomelanocortin axes in chronic renal failure rats with malnutrition / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Shenshuai Yangzhen Capsule (SYC) on hypothalamic leptin-neuropeptide Y (NPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) axes in chronic renal failure (CRF) rats with malnutrition (MN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-two male SD rats of SPF grade were established into CRF-MN model by 5/6 nephrectomy and 4% casein diet, the happening time of MN in them was recorded. Rats successfully modeled were randomized into three groups, 11 rats in Group A treated with SYC, 11 in group B treated with composite alpha-keto acid and 12 in Group C was untreated. Besides, a normal control group was set up with 8 healthy rats. After being treated for 4 weeks, the renal function related indices, including serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24 hour urine protein (24 h Upro), albumin (ALB), haemoglobin (Hb) insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyeride (TG) were measured, and body weight, food intake in rats were observed dynamically, blood leptin and NPY level in rats were determined by radioimmunoassay; mRNA expressions of OB-Rb, NPY and POMC in hypothalamus were detected with RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CRF rats revealed MN at the end of 10th week after modeling. Compared with Group C, the condition of MN in Group A was significantly improved, showing increase of food intake and body weight (P < 0.05), marked improvement of renal function (P < 0.05), decrease of LP and NPY levels in plasma (P < 0.05), as well as up-regulated NPY mRNA expression and down-regulated mRNA expressions of OB-Rb and POMC in hypothalamus (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SYC can improve the malnutrition condition in rats with CRF, which is possibly by way of depressing OB-Rb and POMC mRNA expression and upgrading NPY mRNA expression in hypothalamus.</p>

Frequent peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis: clinical characteristics, risk factors and treatments / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the clinical characteristics and risk factors of frequent peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was conducted in the peritonitis patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in our hospital. Frequent PD-related peritonitis was defined by two or more onsets in one year, and the patients with only one onset served as the control group. The clinical and laboratory data of the two groups were compared and the risk factors of PD-related peritonitis analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forty-four episodes of peritonitis were recorded in the 16 patients with frequent PD-related peritonitis, as compared to 53 episodes in the 45 control patients. Compared with those in the control group, the patients with frequent peritonitis had significantly higher blood pressure (P<or=0.05) but lower hemoglobulin (P<or=0.05) and plasma albumin (P<or=0.01), with higher rates of edema (P<or=0.01), gram-negative bacteria and fungal infection (P<or=0.05) and PD catheter removal (P<or=0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in age, mode of catheter placement surgery, intervals between PD initiation and peritonitis occurrence, inducing factors of peritonitis, incidence of dyspnea, serum creatinin, urea, calcium, mineral phosphorus, blood or dialysate leucocytes (P>0.05). Variables identified to be associated with an increased likelihood of frequent PD-related peritonitis included hemoglobulin<70 g/L (OR=0.135, P<or=0.01) and plasma albumin<30 g/L (OR=0.181, P<or=0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with the patients with only one annual occurrence of peritonitis, the patients with frequent PD-related peritonitis have severer malnutrition and water overload, which are probably correlated to the high rates of PD catheter removal and poor prognosis. Severe anemia and proteinemia are risk factors and also predictive factors of frequent PD-related peritonitis. Measures to ameliorate anemia and proteinemia and effective management of celiac endogenous infection may help prevent and control frequent PD-related peritonitis.</p>

A retrospective analysis of the six-year data of peritoneal dialysis in a single center / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the epidemiology, peritoneal dialysis (PD) related complications and survival outcomes of 236 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in our center from January, 2004 to November, 2009.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data including patient gender, age, time of PD initiation, addresses, types of medical reimbursement, primary diseases, modes of PD catheter placement surgery, types of PD catheter, PD-related complications, and time of drop out were retrospectively analyzed. PD catheter migration rate, peritonitis rate, drop out rate (DOR), length of the time of PD therapy (TOT), and survival rate were calculated and compared with those of patients in other PD centers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The number of newly introduced patients increased gradually in the years from 2004 to 2009. The mean age of newly introduced patients was 47-/+16 years, and patients with age below 60 years accounted for 77.96%. Patients who paid for their own expenses accounted for 67.37% of all, and the rate of these patients decreased gradually. Similar to that in Asian-Pacific region, chronic glomerulonephritis was the most frequent cause of ESRD followed by diabetic nephropathy. The number of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis or obstructive nephropathy as the primary diseases was greater in this center than that reported in the Asian-Pacific region, accounting for 54.66% and 11.02% of all patients, respectively. In contrast, the patients with diabetic nephropathy or benign arteriolar renal sclerosis were less, accounting for 12.29% and 10.17% of all, respectively. PD catheter migration rate (8.05%) and peritonitis rate (1:44.22 patient-months) were both lower than those reported. The patient survival rates at 1, 2, 3 years were 83.65%, 51.59% and 29.81%, respectively, lower than those of other centers in the developed countries but higher than the mean levels in China. DOR decreased gradually to 11.56% in 2009, and TOT increased to 23.61 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The above characteristics of the patients are related to many factors, including the "PD first" principle, high prevalence of urinary calculosis in the primary source regions of most patients, preventive partial omentum resection in some patients, education and follow-up for patients, and increased expense cover by medical insurance.</p>

Effects of Shenkangwan on renal expressions of angiotensin II and its type I receptor in rats with early diabetic nephropathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Shenkangwan on the expressions of angiotensin II (AngII) and its type I receptor (AT(1)R) and the renalprotection mechanism of Shenkangwan in rats with early diabetic nephropathy (DN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rat models of DN established by a single injection of streptozotocin were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely the model group, Shenkangwan treatment group, irbesartan treatment group, and Shenkangwan and irbesartan treatment group, with normal rats as the control. All the rats received daily gavage for 8 weeks. The urinary protein quality in 24 h and plasma and renal contents of AngII were measured. The expressions of AT1R at the protein and mRNA levels in the kidney tissues were measured by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The pathological changes of the kidney were observed microscopically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In DN rats, Shenkangwan reduced the urinary protein quantity in 24 h and the contents of AngII in the plasma and kidney tissues, decreased the renal expressions of AT(1)R protein and mRNA, and alleviated the morphological damage of the kidney.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Shenkangwan offers renalprotection against DN probably by reducing the contents of AngII in the plasma and kidney tissues and inhibiting renal AT(1)R expressions.</p>

Effects of irbesartan on renal advanced glycation end products and their receptor in rats with early diabetic nephropathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of irbesartan on the renal expressions of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGEs) in rats with early diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the renoprotection mechanism of irbesartan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat DN models established by a single injection of streptozotocin were randomly divided into the model group and irbesartan treatment group. With normal rats as the control, all the rats received daily gavage for 8 weeks. The 24-h urinary protein excretion and contents of AGEs in the serum and kidney tissues were measured. The expressions of RAGEs and RAGEs protein and mRNA in the kidney tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The pathological changes of the kidney were also assessed microscopically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Irbesartan significantly reduced the 24-h urinary protein excretion and the contents of AGEs in the serum and kidney tissues of DN rats, resulting also in decreased expressions of RAGEs and RAGEs protein and mRNA levels in the kidney. The treatment obviously alleviated the pathological changes in the kidney of the DN rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Irbesartan offers renoprotection against DN possibly by reducing the serum and renal contents of AGEs and inhibiting the renal mRNA expressions of RAGEs and RAGEs.</p>

Protective effects of Shenkangwan against podocyte injury in rats with early diabetic nephropathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the morphological changes and expressions of desmin and podocin in podocytes of rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats and renal protection mechanism of Shenkangwan.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>DN model was established in rats by a single injection of streptozotocin. The rats were then randomly divided into model group, Shenkangwan treatment group, irbesartan treatment group, and Shenkangwan plus irbesartan treatment group, with normal rats as the control group. All the rats received daily gavage for 8 weeks. The urinary protein quantity in 24 h were detected, and the morphological changes of the kidneys were observed with optic and transmission electron microscopes. The expressions of desmin and podocin in the podocytes were detected by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Shenkangwan and irbesartan reduced the urinary protein quantity in 24 h and alleviated the renal damage in DN rats, and the expression of desmin was significantly attenuated while podocin expression increased in the podocytes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Shenkangwan can provide renal protection against DN in rats and alleviate the structural and functional damages of podocytes possibly by reducing desmin expression and increasing podocin expression in the podocytes.</p>

Effect of Shenshuai Yangzhen capsule on remnant renal tissue following 5/6 nephrectomy in malnutrition rats with chronic renal failure / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate effects of Shenshuai Yangzhen capsule, a preparation of traditional Chinese medicine, on remnant renal tissue following nephrectomy in malnutrition rats with chronic renal failure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy and fed 4% casein diet to induce chronic renal failure (CRF), and their blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), serum albumin (ALB), hemoglobin (Hb), 24-hour urineprotein (24-h Upro) and body weight were measured. Upon the onset of malnutrition, the rats were randomized into CRF control group (CC), ketosteril group (KT), and Shenshuai Yangzhen group (SSYZ), with also a normal control group (NC). After 4 weeks of treatment as indicated, the remnant nephrotic tissue was examined under optical and electron microscopes and by immunofluorescence assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Malnutrition occurred in the CRF rats at the end of the 10th weeks after the operation. Compared with those in CC group, the plasma BUN, SCr and 24-h Upro levels in SSYZ group were significantly lower with substantially elevated plasma ALB and Hb. The pathological changes of SSYZ group was significantly improved after treatment with Shenshuai Yangzhen capsule.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Shenshuai Yangzhen capsule can improve malnutrition and reduce renal damage in rats with renal insufficiency.</p>

Effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonist on rat podocyte injury in early diabetic nephropathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate nephrin and desmin expression in rat podocytes in early diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the rale of angiotensin II receptor antagonist in renal protection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat models of DN established by a injection of a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) were randomized into model group and irbesartan group, with rats without STZ injection as the normal control group. The rats in irbesartan group were subjected to daily intragastric irbesartan administration for 8 consecutive weeks, while those in the model group received only saline in the same manner. Upon completion of the treatment, the rats were sacrificed and pathological changes of the kidney were examined with optical and transmission electron microscope. Nephrin and desmin expressions in the podocytes were detected by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In rats with DN, irbesartan administration alleviated podocyte injury and significantly lowered the expression of nephrin and desmin (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Angiotensin II receptor antagonist may offer renal protection against DN by alleviating structural and functional podocyte damage through decreasing nephrin expression in the podocytes.</p>

Effect of Shenkangwan on mesangial cell NO and TGF-beta1 excretion in rats with early diabetic nephropathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mechanism of Shenkangwan (SKW) in treating early diabetic nephropathy (DN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effect of SKW on NO and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) production by the mesangial cells (MCs) of rats with early diabetic nephropathy was evaluated with serum pharmacological method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with normal serum, the SKW-containing serum dose- and time-dependently inhibited TGF-beta(1) excretion and increased NO production in the MCs of rats with early DN (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapeutic effect of SKW on early DN may rely on the balance modulation of cytokine network by increasing NO production and decreasing TGF-beta(1) excretion to prevent cytokine-induced damage of the MCs.</p>

Renal protective effect of Shenkang pill on diabetic rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Shenkang pill on renal function and extracellular matrix secretion on the diabetic rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The diabetic rat models were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) and randomly divided into 3 groups' model control group; Capoten group and Shenkangwan group. Some normal other rats were used as normal control group. All rats were treated with corresponding drugs for 8 weeks. During and after the treatment, the general state, blood and urine glucose levels, excretion rate of the 24 hour urine protein and albumin, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen contents, kidney weight and relative kidney weight were measured. The mRNA of fibronectin(FN) in the kidney also detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Diabetes mellitus and renal lesions occurred in the three model groups. The expression of FN mRNA of the kidney in diabetic rats increased obviously. Shenkang pill could improve the general state and renal function of the diabetic rats, decrease the blood glucose levels and the excretion rate of the 24 hour urine protein and albumin, reduce the expression of FN mRNA in kidney.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Shenkang pill has a certain protective effect on the diabetic kidney.</p>

Effect of the Yifuning soft gelatin capsules on estrogen receptor and nitric oxide levels in ovariectomized rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of the Yifuning soft gelatin capsules(YFN)on estrogen receptor (ER) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in ovariectomized rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Fifty female mature sprague-dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control; model control; diethylstilbestrol tablets (DT); YFN (high dose and low dose). After 4 weeks' treatment, the serum E2 levels were detected by radioimmunoassay. The estrogen receptor (ER) levels of uterus and artery were detected with method of radioligand binding assay of receptor (RBAR). The uterus pathologic changes were investigated with light microscope. NO and NOS levels of the artery and the uterus index were detected too.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>YFN can obviously improve serum E2, increase index and ER of uterus (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), and ameliorate the uterus' pathologic changes in OVX rats. It also can increase the artery' ER, NO and NOS levels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YFN can cure the climacteric syndrome and prevent the cardiovascular disease after post-menopause.</p>