Qufeng Tongluo Prescription () inhibits mesangial cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis through regulating cell cycle progression / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects and possible underlying mechanism of Qufeng Tongluo Prescription (, QFTL) on the regulation of mesangial cells (MCs) proliferation and apoptosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The MCs used in this experiment have undergone five passages induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Changes in the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulatory proteins and mRNA expression levels of the MCs after administration of Benazepril or QFTL were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) reduction assay, flow cytometry, Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The addition of Benazepril or QFTL serum inhibited LPS-induced MC proliferation after treatment for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, the inhibitory effect is more significant in the QFTL group at 48 h (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, LPS-induced cell proliferation decreased the number of cells in G1 phase versus cells in S and G2/M phases, while the addition of QFTL and Benazepril serum increased the ratio of cells at G1 phase (P<0.05 or P<0.01) to cells at S phase (P<0.01), implicating the cell cycle inhibition effect exerted by QFTL. LPS decreased the level of MC apoptosis, compared with the control group (P<0.05), while QFTL and Benazepril serum increased the level of MC apoptosis (P<0.01). Moreover, the difference between the QFTL group and the Benazepril group was statistically significant (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the protein and mRNA expression levels of cylinD1, cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and p21 were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), p27 was decreased but with no statistical significance (P>0.05); After being treated with QFTL and Benazepril serum, the protein and mRNA expression levels of cylinD1, CDK2, p21 were decreased and p27 increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01); Compared with the Benazepril group, QFTL show better effects on protein and mRNA expression levels of cylinD1, CDK2 (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and p21 protein expression (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QFTL inhibits MCs proliferation, promotes MCs apoptosis through an underlying mechanism of down-regulating the protein and mRNA expression levels of cylinD1, CDK2, p21 and up-regulation of the expression level of p27.</p>

Effect of acupuncture on renal function and pathologic changes of kidney in rabbits with nephritis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of acupuncture on cationized bovine serum albumin (C-BSA) nephritis model in rabbits and to explore its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty rabbits were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a metoprolol group, a irbesartan group and an acupuncture group, 10 rabbits in each group. The model was established by ear vein intravenous injection with C-BSA. The positive control groups were treated by intragastric administrated with metoprolol and irbesartan, respectively. The acupuncture group was treated by acupuncture at "Fengmen" (BL 12) and "Shenshu" (BL 23). No interventions were added on the blank group and the model group. The changes of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), plasma norepinephrine (NE), serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and 24 hours urine protein (24 h UP) in rabbits at the time points of 3rd, 6th and 8th week of treatment were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the model was established, the Scr of (194.30 +/- 20.09) micromol/L, BUN of (9.19 +/- 0.66) mmol/L and 24 h UP of (277.70 +/- 20.09) mg/24 h in the model group were all higher than the Scr of (66.03 +/- 4. 76) micromol/L, BUN of (4.11 +/- 0.71) mmol/L and 24 h UP of (14.28 +/- 1. 47) mg/24 h in the blank group (all P < 0.01), and the diffused mesenteria hyperplasia and the increase of intercapillary cells in the model group were showed in the pathological sections. After 3 weeks of treatment. The Scr of (99.82 +/- 9.29) micromol/L, BUN of (6.32 +/- 0.75) mmol/L and 24 h UP of (189.67 +/- 15.45) mg/ 24 h in the acupuncture group were all decreased significantly, furthermore, the decrease of BP, HR, NE were better than the other treatment groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Except the level of 24 h up and HR at 8th week, other results were as same as the 3rd week.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture can improve the function of kidney, decrease the content of 24 h UP and the underlying therapeutic mechanism could be correlated with that acupuncture can lower excitability of sympathetic nerve and alleviate the renal pathological lesion induced by nephritis.</p>

Effect of artemisinin combined with glucocorticoid on the expressions of glucocorticoid receptor α mRNA, glucocorticoid receptor β mRNA and P300/CBP protein in lupus nephritis mice / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of using artemisinin (Art) combined with glucocorticoid (GC) to treat lupus nephritis (LN) mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty hybrid female mice were randomly and equally divided into four groups with the method of random number table: control group, model group, prednisone group administrated with 6.45 mg/(kg·d) prednisone suspension, and Art+prednisone group administrated with 150 mg/(kg·d) Art suspension and 3.225 mg/(kg·d) prednisone suspension. A mice model of LN was established by injection with living lymph cell suspension. The changes of urine protein/24h, the expressions of GC receptor α (GRα) mRNA, GC receptor β (GRβ) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and transcriptional coactivator P300/CBP protein in renal tissue were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group, the treatment groups had significant decrease in urine protein/24 h, and renal pathological lesion (P<0.01). In the same groups, the expression of transcriptional coactivator P300/CBP protein in renal tissue and GRα mRNA were significantly increased, and GRβ mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). And the Art+prednisone group has a better therapeutic effect than the prednisone group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Art has therapeutic sensitization effects on GC in the LN mice. The underlying mechanism could be correlated with the effect of Art on the increase of the expressions of GRα mRNA and transcriptional coactivator P300 300/CBP protein in renal tissue and on the decrease of the expression of GRβ mRNA in PBMC.</p>

Clinical study of Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy combined with routine Western medicine on patients with chronic renal failure / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanism of Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy in treating patients with chronic renal failure (CRF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 142 patients were assigned to the Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy group (the treatment group, 82 patients) and the Western medicine treatment group (the control group, 60 patients). All of the patients were treated with NovoNorm 1 mg and metformin hydrochloride tablets 0.15 g thrice per day for lowering the blood glucose, as well as Perindopril 4 mg twice daily for lowering blood pressure, recombinant human erythropoietin 2 000 U and a hypodermic injection thrice a week for rectifying anemia, 30 days as one course of treatment, and all patients were treated for two courses. Patients in the treatment group were treated with the Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy [dispersing the five-zang organs, expelling toxins through colonic dialysis and skin dialysis fumigation] in addition to the aforementioned drugs. Parameters observed and recorded in the study included renal function [serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], blood lipids [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein C (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein C (HDL-C)], plasma total protein (TP), hemoglobin (Hb), serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) before and after the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After two courses of treatment, the levels of SCr, BUN, TG, TC, LDL-C, serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha decreased significantly, meanwhile HDL-C increased in the treatment group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In contrast, no obvious changes of the above mentioned items occurred in the control group. In both groups, the levels of TP and Hb were significantly elevated (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but the changes were more obvious in the treatment group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Trilogy Detoxicating Therapy played a therapeutic role on patients with CRF possibly through lowering the levels of blood lipids, serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha.</p>

Qufeng Tongluo decoction inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced rat mesangial cell proliferation in vitro by suppressing NF-kappaB activation and reducing TGF-beta1 and IL-6 mRNA expressions / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Qufeng Tongluo (QFTL) decoction on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat mesangial cell proliferation and explore the possible mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two rats were randomized into normal control, glomerulonephritis model, QFTL treatment and positive control groups, and serum samples were obtained from these groups. Rat mesangial cells with or without LPS exposure were treated with the sera, and the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB ) was detected using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and the expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNAs were detected with RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>QFTL decoction inhibited the activation of NF-kappaB in LPS-stimulated rat mesangial cells stimulated by LSP, and lowered the expressions of TGF-beta1 and IL-6 mRNA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QFTL decoction can inhibit LPS-induced rat mesangial cell proliferation by decreasing the expression of TGF-beta1 and IL-6 mRNA as a result of suppression NF-kappaB activation.</p>

Mechanism of the effect of Tongluo Recipe against glomerular sclerosis in rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Tongluo Recipe on the expression of collagen IV (Col IV), fibronectin (FN), laminin (LN), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in rat renal tissues and explore the mechanism underlying these effects in rats with glomerular sclerosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The pathological changes in the renal tissues of rats with glomerular sclerosis were observed microscopically, and the expressions of Col IV, FN, LN, and TGF-beta1 were detected using immunohistochemical staining and image analysis system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tongluo Recipe significantly decreased the expressions of Col IV, FN, LN and TGF-beta1 in the renal tissue of rats with glomerular sclerosis (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and obviously alleviated the renal pathologies (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The therapeutic effects of Tongluo Recipe are probably mediated by lowered expressions of Col IV, FN, LN and TGF-beta1.</p>

Study on effect of yishen capsule in preventing recurrence of chronic glomerulonephritis / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of yishen capsule (YSC) on preventing the recurrence of chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) and to explore its mechanism preliminarily.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CGN patients were assigned to the treated group (61 cases) and the control group (48 cases) and all of them were orally administered with 4 mg of Perindopril twice a day, but 3 capsules of YSC, thrice a day, were given additionally to patients in the treated group. The therapeutic course for both groups was 18 months. The recurrence rate of CGN at the 6th, 12th, and 18th month in the two groups was observed and compared, and the changes of 24-h urinary protein quantity and T-lymphocyte subsets before and after treatment were observed as well.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Comparison of recurrence rate between the two groups showed insignificant difference at the 6th month, but it did show significant difference at the 12th and the 18th month, which was significantly decreased in the treated group than in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01); (2) The 24-h urinary protein quantity at the 18th month decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), but in the treated group was more significant (P<0.01); (3) T-lymphocyte subsets showed no obvious change in the control group after treatment (P>0.05), while in the treated group, it showed significant increase in CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD8 (P<0.05 or P<0.01) and significant decrease in CD8 (P<0.05), and also the difference after treatment in T-lymphocyte subsets between the two groups was significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YSC has marked effects in reducing the recurrence of CGN and in decreasing urinary protein, and its mechanism might be related with its function in regulating the ratio of T-lymphocyte subsets to enhance the immunity of patients.</p>

Effect of Yishen capsule on serum vascular endothelial growth factor and cell immunity in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Yishen capsule on the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the cell immunity and the theraphic.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Serum VEGF and T cell subsets were studied in 30 normal subjects and 83 patients before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compare with normal subjects, CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8 were decreased, CD8 and serum VEGF were increased obviously (P <0. 05 or P <0. 01). After three months treatment with YiShen capsule, CD4/CD8 was increased, CD8 and serum VEGF were decreased significantly (P <0.05 or P <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Yishen capsule can reduce the proteinuria, increase the function of immunity and improve the clinical symptom of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis, achieved the effects of allevating chronic glomerular sclerosis ultimately.</p>

Clinical study on effect of tongluo capsule in treating diabetic nephropathy caused chronic renal failure / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect of Tongluo capsule (TLC) in treating diabetic nephropathy (DN) complicated chronic renal failure (CRF), and to explore its mechanism preliminarily.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-seven patients with DN-CRF were randomly divided into the TCM group (n = 50) and the WM group (n = 47) to observe the changes of urinary protein per 24 hrs (UP/24h), renal function, creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood lipids (TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C) and serum transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 6 months of treatment, levels of UP/24h, Cr, BUN and TGF-beta1 significantly lowered in both groups (P<0.01), and a better effect was showed in the TCM group in aspects of lowering Cr, BUN and TGF-beta1 (P<0.01). Besides, TLC also showed effect in lowering the serum lipid parameters (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Effect of TLC in treating DN-CRF might be through lowering the levels of blood lipids and serum TGF-beta1.</p>