Changes of lung, spleen and kidney aquaporin-1 in rats with Kidney Yang Deficiency: the "water metabolism theory" in traditional Chinese medicine / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the experimental basis of the "water metabolism theory" in traditional Chinese medicine by observing the changes of aquaporin-1 in the lung, spleen and kidney.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat models of Kidney Yang Deficiency induced by gavage with 2% adenine suspension for 4 weeks were treated with cistanches decoction for 6 weeks. Urinary 17-hydroxy cortisol, urine creatinine, urine osmolality value content, and aquaporin-1 mRNA and protein expressions in the lung, spleen and kidney tissues were detected after the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Treatment with adenine induced Kidney Yang Deficiency in rats by causing a reduction in urinary 17-hydroxy cortisol, urine creatinine and urine osmolality. Aquaporin-1 mRNA expression in the spleen and kidney were down-regulated after adenine treatment. Compared with the rat models, intervention with cistanche significantly increased aquaporin-1 mRNA expression in the lung and kidney tissues. Adenine resulted in increased aquaporin-1 protein expression in the lung, spleen and kidney of the rats, while cistanche intervention lowered its expression in lung and kidney tissues.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The lung, spleen, kidneys are involved in water metabolism, and aquaporin-1 is one of its molecular basis. Cistanche can increase aquaporin-1 expressions, which is also regulated by other factors.</p>