Effect of Jinguishenqi decoction on apoptosis signal of podocyte in diabetic nephropathy mice / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Aim To investigate the effect of Jinguishenqi decoction on renal podocyte apoptosis in db/db diabetic mice and the underlying mechanism. Methods Six weeks old db/db diabetic mice were randomly divided into three groups; saline group, Jinguishenqi decoction group, metformin positive control group, and male db/m mice as normal control group. The animals were sacrificed at 18 weeks old, urinary albumin was detected in 24 hours urine, and blood glucose was measured. The glomerular mesangial proliferation was observed by PAS staining in renal tissues. The foot processes in podocyte were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of podocin in renal tissues was detected by immunofluorescence. The protein expressions of caspase-3, p-Bcl-2, p-JNKl/JNKl in renal cortex were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with saline group of db/db diabetic mice, urinary albumin in 24 hours urine, foot process fusion and mesangial width were all reduced after the treatment of Jinguishenqi decoction. Podocin fluorescence in glomerular increased, and the expression of caspase-3 in renal cortex decreased significantlyafter the treatment of Jinguishenqi decoction (P < 0. 05) . The phosphorylation of JNK1 and Bcl-2 was inhibitedsignificantly after the treatment of Jinguishenqi decoction (P < 0. 05). Conclusions Jinguishenqi decoction could alleviate apoptosis of podocyte, protect podocyte and delay the progression of diabetic nephropathy through JNK1/Bcl-2 signaling pathway.