Effects of artificial cordyceps sinensis on epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the podocytes of diabetic rats / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the effects of artificial cordyceps sinensis(Jin shuibao) on the numbers of podocytes and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in diabetic rats.Methods Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of low dose streptozocin.Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groupscontrol group (CON),diabetic model group(DM),and artificial cordyceps sinensis treatment group(CS).After intervention for 8 weeks,the numbers of podocytes were estimated hy immunohistochemistry.The expressions of nephrin,desmin,and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were detected.Results Compared with control group,DM group showed significantly decreased podocyte numbers and nephrin mRNA,with increased desmin and MCP-1 levels(P＜0.05).While the numbers of podocytes and nephrin mRNA were increased,and the expressions of desmin and MCP-1 were decreased in CS group as compared with those in DM group (all P＜0.05).Conclusions Artificial cordyceps sinensis notably improves epithelial-mesenchymal transition of podocytes,and increases the number of podocytes in diabetic rats.