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Objective: To study the effects of Zhenqing Recipe (ZQR) and earthworm on the expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in renal tissues of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats., Methods: The T2DM model rats induced by high sucrose/fat feeding and low dose streptozotocin injecting were randomly divided into the model group, the ZQR group, and the earthworm group. A normal control group was also set up. ZQR extract was given at the daily dose of 24 g/kg body weight by gastrogavage to rats in the ZQR group. The earthworm extract was given at the daily dose of 2.6 g/kg body weight by gastrogavage to rats in the earthworm group. Equal volume of distilled water was given to rats in the normal control group and the model group by gastrogavage. The medication was once daily for 8 successive weeks. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum PAI-1, 24-h urinary albumin excretion (UAE), and endogenous creatinine clearance rate (CCr) were detected. The structural changes of renal tissues stained with Periodic Acid-Schiff were observed by light microscope. The expressions of TGF-beta1 and PAI-1 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. And the mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-beta1 and PAI-1 in the renal cortex were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot respectively., Results: Compared with the normal control group, the FBG, serum PAI-1, UAE, the mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-beta1, and PAI-1 significantly increased in the model group, and CCr obviously decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, FBG, serum PAI-1, UAE obviously decreased (P<0.01) and CCr obviously increased (P<0.05) in the ZQR group. FBG was not obviously lowered in the earthworm group. The serum PAI-1 and UAE both decreased obviously (P<0.05, P<0.01) and CCr increased (P<0.05) in the earthworm group. The effects of ZQR were superior to the earthworm. The renal pathological changes got improved in the ZQR group and the earthworm group. The mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-beta1 and PAI-1 significantly decreased in the ZQR group and the earthworm group, especially in the ZQR group., Conclusions: Early application of ZQR and earthworm in treatment of T2DM rats with nephropathy was effective in protecting the kidney. Its mechanism may possibly be correlated with inhibition of TGF-beta1 expression, resulting in down-regulation of PAI-1 expression. ZQR showed better effects than earthworm.

Objective: To explore the effect of Zhenqing Recipe (ZQR) on renal structure and expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in experimental type 2 diabetic rats., Methods: The rat models of type 2 diabetic were set up by intraperitoneally giving small-dose streptozotocin (STZ) after fed with high carbohydrate and high fat diets for one month. The model rats were randomly divided into the model group,the high and low dose ZQR-treated groups,and the enalapril-treated group; a normal control group was also established. The course of treatment continued 8 weeks. The expressions of MMP-9, TIMP-1, and fibronectin (FN) in renal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. The morphological changes of glomeruli and renal tubules were checked by microscopy., Results: Compared with the normal control group, the expression of TIMP-1 and FN increased and MMP-9 decreased in the model group; the treated groups could decrease the expressions of TIMP-1 and FN, and increase the expression of MMP-9, especially the high-dose ZQR group had the best effect. The morphological changes of renal tubules and glomerulus in the treated groups were improved better as compared with the model group., Conclusion: The protective effect of ZQR on renal structure may be achieved by modulating the expressions of MMP-1 and TIMP-1.