Nephroprotective effects of Isaria felina in rats with adenine-induced chronic renal failure.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a progressive, life-threatening condition with limited treatment options. Cordyceps sinensis is a fungus that has nephroprotective effects, and Isaria felina (IF) is a fungus isolated from C. sinensis fruiting bodies. We evaluated IF efficacy using an adenine-induced CRF animal model. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal control (n = 8) and adenine groups (n = 32; 100 mg/kg for 30 days). The adenine group was subdivided into a model control group (n = 7), a positive control group (200 mg/kg Jinshuibao capsule (JSB; n = 8), and two IF groups (200 mg/kg, n = 8; 100 mg/kg, n = 8). After treatment for 30 days, animals were narcotized and abdominal aortic blood was analysed. Kidney functions were evaluated. KEY FINDINGS: Higher serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid levels, and lower creatinine clearance was observed in the model control group compared with JSB and IF groups (P < 0.05). Red blood cell count, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels in the 200 mg/kg IF group were higher than in the model control group (P < 0.05). Transforming growth factor-ß1 mRNA expression in the model control group was higher than the normal control and 200 mg/kg IF groups (P < 0.05). Epidermal growth factor mRNA in the model control group was lower than in the normal control and both IF-treated groups (P < 0.05). Structural renal damage was observed in all adenine-treated rats, but was less severe in the JSB and IF groups. CONCLUSION: IF may reverse the damaged kidney functions-induced with adenine in rats.

A new method of establishing orthotopic bladder transplantable tumor in mice.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to find a convenient, rapid, and stable method to establish bladder tumor in mice. METHODS: Female Balb/C-nu-nu nude mice (or female T739 mice) were narcotized by sodium pentobarbital at a dosage of 60 mg/kg. The stylet of the 24# venous retention needles was bent in a 5° to 7° angle at a distance of 15 mm from the needlepoint to form a circle with 2.61 mm to 3.66 mm radius when the stylet is rotated. The pipe casing was lubricated with liquid paraffin, and inserted into the bladder cavity. The drift angle stylet was inserted into the pipe casing slowly, rotated for five times, and then pulled out. A cell suspension (0.1 mL) of approximately 1×10(6) T24 cells (or BTT cells) was then injected immediately. RESULTS: A total of 60 T739 mice and 60 Balb/C-nu-nu nude mice were inoculated with BTT cells and T24 cells, respectively. The bladder tumor incidence and the average survival time of the tumor-bearing mice were 100% and (26.69±9.24) d and 100% and (34.59±9.8) d for the T739 mice and Balb/C-nu-nu nude mice, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Using the drift angle stylet to injure the mucous membrane of the urinary bladder can establish a stable bladder transplantable tumor model in mice.