ABSTRACT
Objective::To explore the protective mechanism of Shenteng Sanhuang decoction and Gegen Qinlian Tang on diabetic nephropathy (DN). Method::Rat DN models were duplicated with unilateral nephrectomy combined with streptozotocin (STZ). The rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, irbesartan group and traditional Chinese medicine group. After 8 weeks of administration of corresponding drugs, the body weight, blood sugar, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24-hour urine volume (24 h U-vol), 24-hour urinary protein (24 h U-pro), serum creatinine (SCr), kidney weight/body weight (KW/BW) mass index of rats in each group were measured. The kidney tissues of rats in each group were homogenized, and supernatant was taken. Expressions of Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2), matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9), TGF-β1 and malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were detected by Western blot or special test kit. Result::Compared with the blank group, the biochemical indicators, body weight, KW/BW, blood sugar, BUN, 24 h U-vol, 24 h U-pro, SCr and MDA were significantly higher or increased(P<0.05), while SOD and CAT were significantly decreased in the model group(P<0.05). Western blot showed that the expression of Smurf2 and TGF-β1 was high, while the expression of MMP-9 was low(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the biochemical indicators of irbesartan group and traditional Chinese medicine group improved significantly(P<0.05), KW/BW were reduced, and blood sugar, BUN, 24 h U-vol, 24 h U-pro, SCr and MDA were significantly decreased (P<0.05), SOD and CAT was obviously increased (P<0.05), expressions of Smurf2 and TGF-β1 were decreased significantly(P<0.05), and expression of MMP-9 was increased significantly(P<0.05). Conclusion::Shenteng Sanhuang decoction and Gegen Qinlian Tang can effectively improve many biochemical indexes of rat DN models, and improve renal function. Its mechanism is closely related to reducing the expressions of Smurf2 and TGF-β1, and enhancing the expression of MMP-9.