Huaiqihuang Granules(槐杞黄颗粒)Reduce Proteinuria by Enhancing Nephrin Expression and Regulating Necrosis Factor κB Signaling Pathway in Adriamycin-Induced Nephropathy

Objective To investigate the effects of Huaiqihuang Granules (槐杞黄颗粒, HQH), a mixture of Chinese herbs including Trametes robiniophila Murr, Fructus Lycii and Polygonatum sibiricum, on adriamycininduced nephropathy (ADRN) in rats and its underlying mechanisms. Methods Rats with ADRN were divided into four groups: the sham group, the model group (distilled water), the low-dose HQH-treated (2 g/kg) group, and the high-dose HQH-treated (4 g/kg) group. Body weight and 24-h urinary protein (Upro) were checked every week. After 5-week intervention, at the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for examination of biochemical parameters, including glomerular morphological makers, podocyte shape, cellular apoptosis, expressions of nephrin, inflammatory and apoptosis markers. Results HQH ameliorated the rat’s general status, proteinuria, renal morphological appearance and glomerulosclerosis. The decreased expression of nephrin in ADRN rats was increased by HQH, as well as the impaired podocyte foot process fusion. Cytosolic levels of p65 and inhibitor of nuclear factor κBα (IκBα) were decreased in ADRN rats, and recovered by the treatment of HQH. Consistently, the induced expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), phosphorylated nuclear factor κB p65 (p-NFκB p65) and IκBα in ADRN were markedly suppressed by HQH. In addition, induction of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cytochrome C in ADRN rats were suppressed by HQH, indicating the amelioration of apoptosis. Conclusion HQH could ameliorate renal impairments in ADRN rats by increasing nephrin expression, inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway via the down-regulation of p-NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα, and suppression of glomerular and tubular apoptosis.

Effects of Bushen Huoxue Yin(补肾活血饮) on brain NF-κB and NO content in the parkinson's disease model mouse

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of Bushen Huoxue Yin(补肾活血饮,BSHXY) on nuclear transcription factor kappa B(NF-κB) and nitric oxide(NO) in the brain of the Parkinson's disease(PD) model mouse.METHODS:Forty-five C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups;normal,model and BSHXY treatment groups.Concentrations of NF-κB and NO in mouse brain tissue were determined by ELISA and spectrophotometry,respectively.RESULTS:NF-κB concentration in brain tissue in the model group was 14.04±4.38 μg· L-1,which was higher than that in normal(P<0.01) and BSHXY(P< 0.05) groups.NO content in brain tissue in the model group was 5.93±0.79 μmol · gprot-1,which was also higher than that in model(P<0.01) and BSHXY(P<0.01) groups.However,there were no significant differences in the content of NF-κB and NO between BSHXY and normal groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:The mechanism of BSHXY for treatment of PD is possibly related to inhibition ofNF-κB activation and decreased NO content in the brain.