Objective: To investigate the effects of Shenbao recipe on expressions of CTGF and MMP-9 in the kidney of diabetic rats.
Method: Wistar rats were randomized divided into control group (group C), diabetic rat group (group D) and Bao'shen recipe treatment group (group DB). Streptozotocin(STZ) was injected through abdominal cavity to make models of diabetic rats. Administration for 8 weeks, renal function and pathological changes of rats' renal tissue were observed, protein expression of CTGF and MMP-9 in renal tissue was investigated by immunohistochemistry analysis.
Result: Compared with group C, expressions of CTGF in renal tissue of group D were higher [(0.234 +/- 0.009) vs (0.146 +/- 0.007) , P < 0.01], while the expressions of MMP-9 were lower [(0.146 +/- 0.006) vs (0.236 +/- 0.007), P < 0.01]. Kidney hypertrophy index, 24-hour urinary protein, blood glucose, cholesterol and serum creatinine were increased significantly in the group D. The level of MMP-9 expression was increased [(0.175 +/- 0.007) vs (0.146 +/- 0.006), P < 0.01], while the level of CTGF expression was reduced [(0.194 +/- 0.008) vs (0.234 +/- 0.009), P < 0.01] by using Shenbao recipe. In group DB, all index including kidney hypertrophy index, 24-hour urinary protein, cholesterol and serum creatinine were obviously lower than diabetic rat group.
Conclusion: Shenbao recipe can depress the expressions of CTGF and increase the expressions of MMP-9 in the kidney of diabetic rats, which can be served as a protective effect to prevent progress of diabetic nephropathy.