This study was aimed at investigating the synergistical protective effects of Astragalus membranaceus (AG) and Panax notoginseng (NG) on podocyte injury in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 55mg/kg. Diabetic rats were then orally administrated with losartan, AG, NG, and AG plus NG (2:1) for 12 weeks. Albuminuria, biochemical markers, renal histopathology, and podocyte number per glomerulus were measured. Podocyte apoptosis was determined by triple immunofluorescence labeling including TUNEL assay, WT1, and DAPI. Renal expression of nephrin, -dystroglycan, Bax, Bcl-xl, and Nox4 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, western blot, and RT-PCR. AG plus NG ameliorated albuminuria, renal histopathology, and podocyte foot process effacement to a greater degree than did AG or NG alone. The number of podocytes per glomerulus, as well as renal expression of nephrin, -dystroglycan, and Bcl-xl, was decreased, while podocyte apoptosis, as well as renal expression of Bax and Nox4, was increased in diabetic rats. All of these abnormalities were partially restored by AG plus NG to a greater degree than did AG or NG alone. In conclusion, AG and NG synergistically ameliorated diabetic podocyte injury partly through upregulation of nephrin, -dystroglycan, and Bcl-xl, as well as downregulation of Bax and Nox4. These findings might provide a novel treatment combination for DN.
[1]Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ, Affiliated Peoples Hosp 6, Dept Nephrol, Shanghai 200233, Peoples R China.
[2]Shanghai Univ Tradit Chinese Med, Shanghai 201203, Peoples R China.
[3]Shanghai Ocean Univ, Shanghai 201306, Peoples R China.
[4]Macau Univ Sci & Technol, Fac Chinese Med, State Key Lab Qual Res Chinese Med, Taipa 999078, Macao, Peoples R China.
(8.0+极速模式)