RESUMEN
To observe the effects of sera containing Liuwei Dihuang Pill (LDP), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and its monomer catalpol on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad pathway in HK-2 cells.
RESUMEN
AIM: To investigate the effects of Hua Yu Dao Zhi decoction (HYDZD) on renal interstitial fibrosis induced by gentamicin in rats. METHODS: 32 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (n=6), gentamicin group (n=13) and HYDZD+gentamicin group (n=13). The renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in rats was induced by gentamicin for 9 d. All rats were sacrificed on 30 d after modeling and renal tissues were stained with HE. The renal indexes were calculated and the changes of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total urinary protein in 24 h, and the level of α-SMA, Smad2, Smad7 were detected. RESULTS: Compared to control group, it was observed that there was mainly necrosis and partly degeneration in the renal tubular epithelial cells, proliferation of fibroblasts and infiltration of the inflammatory cells in the interstitial substance in gentamicin group under the light microscope. The renal indexes, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total urinary protein in 24 h, and the level of α-SMA, Smad2 were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01) and the level of Smad7 was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.01). Under the light microscope, the results of all mentioned above in HYDZD+gentamicin group were improved significantly (P<0.01), the level of α-SMA, Smad2 were significantly lower than those in gentamicin group (P<0.01). However, no significant difference of Smad7 protein expression between gentamicin group and HYDZD+gentamicin group was observed (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: HYDZD is very effective in preventing and treating renal interstitial fibrosis caused by gentamicin with the decreased level of Smad2.