Regulating effect of Siwei-Jianghuangtang powder on PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in diabetic nephropathy rats / 国际中医中药杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the protective effect of Siwei-Jianghuangtang powder on kidney of diabetic nephropathy rats and its influences on phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway (PI3K/Akt). Methods The SD rats were divided into 6 groups, sham operation group, model group, Siwei-Jianghuangtang powder low, middle and high dose groups (12, 24, 48 mg/kg Siwei-Jianghuangtang powder) and positive group (Captopril, 30mg/kg), with 12 rats in each group. The 24h urinary protein in urine of rats was measured after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of administration. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum lipid level and renal function. After the last administration, the renal tissue was obtained, and the renal hypertrophy index was measured. The HE and Masson staining were used to observe the histopathological changes of kidney in rats, and the ultrastructural changes of renal tissue were observed by electron microscope. The western blot (WB) was used to analyze the expressions of IRS-2, p-PI3K and p-Akt in renal tissues, and the immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expressions of nephrin and podocin protein in kidney. Results Compared with the model group, the p-PI3K protein (0.42 ± 0.06, 0.61 ± 0.09, 0.76 ± 0.05 vs. 0.21 ± 0.03), the IRS-2 protein (0.34 ± 0.03, 0.61 ± 0.10, 0.78 ± 0.09 vs. 0.24 ± 0.03) and the P-Akt protein (0.28 ± 0.06, 0.43 ± 0.07, 0.69 ± 0.05 vs. 0.15 ± 0.03) in Siwei-Jianghuangtang powder low, middle and high dose group significantly increased (P<0.05). The positive expression rate of Nephrin (31.78% ± 3.14%, 42.54% ± 5.15%, 50.97% ± 7.13% vs. 22.86% ± 3.07%) and the positive expression rate of Podocin (33.67% ± 4.59%, 50.54% ± 11.41%, 61.03% ± 7.55% vs. 22.64% ± 2.97%) significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusions The Siwei-Jianghuangtang powder can relieve renal injury of diabetic nephropathy rats. Its mechanism may be related to activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and alleviating podocyte injury.