Effects of puerarin on renal protein kinase C activity in diabetic rats / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Object To investigate the effect of puerarin (Pue) on renal protein kinase C (PKC) activity, kidney structure and function in diabetic rats. Methods STZ-induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into five groups Diabetic rats model group (DM), Pue (500, 250, 125 mg/kg) treatment group, and VitE group, in addition, normal rats for control group. All rats were given by ig for 12 weeks. Kidney function and kidney index were determined; The PKC activity was measured by ELISA. The excretion of microalbuminuria (MAU) was measured by radio-immunoassay, and kidney tissue was observed by light-microscope and transmission electron microscope. Results The excretion of MAU, kidney index (kidney weight/body weight) and PKC activity in diabetic rats were significantly increased. The excretion of MAU, and PKC activity were markedly decreased in Pue treatment group, and kidney pathologic changes of diabetic rats in Pue treatment group were improved. Conclusion Pue can ameliorate early kidney hy-perdynamic abnormality in diabetic rats, possess protective effect on kidney of diabetic rats, whose mechanism may be associated partly with a down-regulation of PKC activity.