Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Huanglian root decoction (, HLD) on kidney injury in rat's model of metabolic syndrome (MetS), and investigate the possible mechanism.
Methods: A fructose-induced MetS rat model and human renal tubular epithelial cell-line model were used to compare the efficacy of HLD with that of berberine and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA). Blood pressure, biochemical parameters, histopathological changes and the expression levels of oxidative stress markers were evaluated in the animal model at the end of an 8-week treatment regimen. Oxidative stress markers and molecules of the signal pathway of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were evaluated in the human cell-line model.
Results: Levels of fasting insulin, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were significantly decreased in rats in the Huanglian group compared to those in the MetS group (P < 0.05). Rats treated with HLD and TUDCA exhibited a significant reduction in blood levels of malondialdehyde compared to those in rats in the MetS group (P < 0.05). Significant increases in glutathione peroxidase in human tubular epithelial cells was found in the Huanglian group compared to that in the MetS group (14.02 vs 18.31, P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 α decreased significantly in Huanglian groups compared with that in the MetS group.
Conclusion: HLD has therapeutic efficacy on kidney injury in the MetS rat's model, and is non-inferior to berberine and TUDCA.
Keywords: Copti; berberine; endoplasmic reticulum stre; metabolic syndrome; oxidative stre.