[Effects of Shensu II Recipe on the expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in the focal segmental glomerulosclerosis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Shensu II Recipe on the renal function, mesangial extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, the expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1, (TGF-beta1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in the focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) rats.

METHODS: FSGS SD rat model was induced by injecting adriamycin. They were randomly divided into the model group, the Western medicine group, and the Chinese medicine group according to body weight. Besides, another 12 rats was taken as the blank control group. Of them, benazepril (0.33 mg/100 g) was given to rats in the Western medicine group by gastrogavage, while Shensu II Recipe (3.5 g/100 g) was given to rats in the Chinese medicine group by gastrogavage. Normal saline was given to rats in the control group and the model group by gastrogavage. Six rats died during the experiment process, among which, one in the control group, two in the model group, one in the Western medicine group, and two in the Chinese medicine group. The changes of 24 h urinary protein (24 hU, pyrogallol red method), blood urea nitrogen (BUN, urease method), serum creatinine (SCr, enzymatic assay of creatinine), serum total protein (TP, biuret colorimetry), serum albumin (ALB, bromocresol green colormetry) were detected. The pathomorphological changes of the glomerulus were observed. Fibronection (FN), collagen IV (Col IV), glomerulus sclerosis index (GSI), ECM/glomerulus area (GA), expressions of TGF-beta1, and PAI-1 were determined by semi-quantitative analysis.

RESULTS: At the end of the 12th week, improvement was shown in the Chinese medicine group (24 hU: 38.55 +/- 2.49 mg; BUN:10.87 +/- 1.78 mmol/L; SCr: 51.70 +/- 1.50 micromol/L; TP: 68.28 +/- 2.31 g/L; and ALB: 42.43 +/- 1.95 g/L). The pathomorphological observation showed that the development of glomerulosclerosis (GS) was significantly slowed down. Semi-quantitative analysis showed significant difference when compared with the model group (GSI: 1.68 +/- 0.33 grade; ECM/GA: 7.11% +/- 2.46%; FN: 4.15% +/- 1.55%; Col IV:1.47% +/- 0.48%; TGF-beta1:19.70% +/- 5.05%; PAI-1: 22.57% +/- 10.65%) ( P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Shensu II Recipe could postpone the development of GS in FSGS rats possibly through inhibiting the expressions of TGF-beta1 and PAI-1, hindering the over-accumulation of mesangial matrix.