Effect of Tripterine on Notch Signaling Pathway in IgA Nephropathy Rats

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of tripterine on the Notch signaling pathway in renal tissue of IgA nephropathy rats.SD male rats were divided into the control group,IgA nephropathy model group,benazepril group,1 mg/kg/day tripterine intervention group,and 10 mg/kg/day tripterine intervention group according to the random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.The urinary sediment and 24-h urinary protein quantity were detected by conventional methods.The expressions of Notch1,Jagged1,Hes1,and Hey1 in renal tissue of rats were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction.IgA nephropathy model was successfully established.The hematuria and proteinuria in model group were higher than those of control group(P<0.05).The expressions of Notch1,Jagged1,Hes1,and hey1 in kidney tissue of IgA nephropathy rats were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,hematuria and proteinuria in the tripterine intervention group were alleviated.The expressions of Notch1,Jagged1,Hes1,and Hey1 in rat renal tissue were decreased(P<0.05).Moreover,the expressions of Notch1,Jagged1,Hes1,and Hey1 in renal tissue of rats in 10 mg/kg/day tripterine intervention group were decreased(P<0.05).Tripterine can decrease the levels of hematuria and proteinuria in IgA nephropathy rats.The expression of the Notch signaling pathway in IgA nephropathy rats is increased by the down-regulation of tripterine,suggesting that tripterine has a certain therapeutic effect on IgA nephropathy rat.Moreover,its role may be realized through this signal pathway so as to provide a new mentality for the diagnosis and treatment of IgA nephropathy.

Effects of Tripterine on mRNA Expression of Oncogene c-myc and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Rats

Objective: To observe the effects of tripterine on mRNA expression of oncogene c-myc and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of rats.Methods: The fifth to tenth passage culture of VSMCs was used, tripterine and 20% fetal calf serum added into the medium of cultured VSMCs at concentration of 0.1 mg/L, 0.2 mg/L and 0.3 mg/L after serum-free cultivation for 24 hours. The general RNA was isolated from VSMCs at 6 and 12 hours after the drug addition for detection of oncogene c-myc and PDGF mRNA respectively by dot blot hybridization. The cDNA probes were labeled by digoxin.Results: Tripterine inhibited the expression of PDGF mRNA of VSMCs, and decreased expression of oncogene cmyc mRNA in a dose-dependent manner, either vs. control.Conclusion: Tripterine can inhibit expression of oncogene c-myc and PDGF-A mRNA in VSMCs, therefore it would inhibit overproliferation of VSMCs.

Sunflower-like pattern: a characteristic morphology of apoptotic cells

Objective: Apoptosis of human mast cell line HMC-1 can be induced by tripterine, a monomer extracted from Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook, f.. This paper is to describe the typical morphologic changes accompanying apoptotic process, explore the possible mechanism underlying and discuss the significance of using it as hallmark of apoptosis. Methods: On or after exposure to tripterine, cells were analyzed with light microscopy, electromicroscope, flow cytometry, ferminal trans- ferase dUTP nick and end labeling (TFUNEL). Results: Under light microscopy, Cell with patterns like sunflower: Cellular main body surrounded by clusters of small small (resembling the petals of sunflower), could be seen in the apoptotic pro cess. The sunflower-like cells (SLCs), negative to trypan blue staining, wb or without the accompaniment of chromatin condense, could occur as soon as20 min after the addition of tripterine and survive for several hours. Drug-baced SLC was time- and dose-dependent. The apoptosis were significantly correlated with results of TUNEL or PI/FCM in the for & h of induction. The SLCs could be easily discriminated under reverse light microscopy. The number of SLC at different time from different persons was consistent. Conclusion: The results suggested that SLC is a characteristic morphologic chane of apop totic cells, it can be a useful mark for quantifying apoptotic HMC-l cell.