[Animal modeling] - Shenqi Pill reduces kidney damage in diabetes ZDF rats

  Objective To investigate the intervention effect of Shenqi Pill on renal injury in diabetes ZDF rats and whether its mechanism is to reduce ERS through PERK pathway.

  Methods 12-week-old male ZDF (fa/fa) rats were randomly divided into model group and Shenqi pill group, and the same week-old male ZDF (fa/+) rats were used as control group. The Shenqi Pill group was given Shenqi Pill decoction (8 12 g/kg), the control group and the model group were given the same amount of physiological saline every day. The general state of rats was observed regularly and the fasting blood glucose and 24h urine microalbumin were measured. At the age of 16 weeks, the pathological changes of renal tissue were observed with PAS, Masson and PAM-HE staining, and the renal tissue GRP78, PERK and eIF2 were detected α、 ATF4 and other factors.

  Results Compared with the model group, the rats in the model group showed slow weight growth, decreased body hair gloss and inactive activities. The rats in the Shenqi Pill group showed stable weight growth, bright body hair and normal activities. The fasting blood glucose and 24h urine microalbumin of rats in the model group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the Shenqi pill group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P<0.01) 05)。 In the model group, the glomerular capillaries expanded, the basement membrane thickened irregularly, the mesangial area widened, and some glomeruli appeared segmental sclerosis; Renal tubules atrophy and renal interstitial fibrous tissue hyperplasia can be seen. Renal pathological changes were significantly reduced after administration of Shenqi Pill. Model group GRP78, PERK and eIF2 α The expression of mRNA and protein were significantly higher in the Shenqi pill group than in the model group (P<0.01) 05); There was no difference in the mRNA expression of ATF4 between the model group and the Shenqi pill group, but the protein of ATF4 in the Shenqi pill group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P<0.05) 05)。

  Conclusion Shenqi Pill may alleviate renal injury in diabetes ZDF rats by influencing the endoplasmic reticulum stress PERK pathway.