Abstract:

Objective   To explore the effects of Tongxinluo on the expressions of connective tissue growth factor（CTGF） and bone morphogenetic protein-7（BMP-7） in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats. Methods  The diabetic (DM) rats model was established by one-dose introperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ). The rats were randomly divided into diabetic group(DM group), Tongxinluo treated groups(TXL group), and the control group(C group) . The ratio of kidney weight to body weight, 24h urine microprotein and piasma AGEs, HbA1c, BUN and Cr were measured in each rat after 24 weeks. The renal pathological changes were examined with PAS staining.  mRNA and protein expressions of CTGF and BMP-7 in kidney were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Western blot. Results  Expressions of mRNA and protein of CTGF were decreased, but expressions of mRNA and protein of BMP-7 in the kidney of the DM group were increased compared with the control group, with P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively. The body weight was increased and urine micro-protein was decreased  in TXL treated rats, and the renal pathological changes were lower than those of the DM group. Expression of CTGF was down-regulated and  expression of BMP-7 was up-regulated by TXL. Conclusion    TXL can reduce glomerular basement membrane thickening and urine microprotein in diabetic nephropathy rats. Renal protective effects and the mechanism of TXL are probably related to down-regulating expression of CTGF and up-regulating expression of BMP-7.

Key words: Tongxinluo; Diabetic nephropathy; Advanced glycation end products; Connective tissue growth factor; Bone morphogenetic protein-7; Rats, Wistar