Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of a low molecular weight peptide KZ-36 from cattle spleen on masugi nephritis in rats.
Methods: The rabbit serum of anti-rat kidney was initially prepared, and then injected into normal rats to induce the formation of masugi nephritis. In this model, KZ-36 was administrated (i.p.) at the dosage of 50 microg/kg/d for 2 weeks, while saline and hydrocortisone were respectively used as negative and positive controls. The pharmacodynamic parameters were collected.
Results: After KZ-36 administration for one week, the protein output in 24 h urine remarkably decreased, and was 5.0 +/- 4.1 mg for two weeks, which was much less than 17.2 +/- 14.5 mg, a counterpart in saline control (P<0.01). KZ-36 could also reduce the serum level of creatinine and improve the renal pathological injury.
Conclusion: KZ-36 has obvious therapeutic effects on masugi nephritis in rats.