Effects of Shenkangwan on renal advanced glycation end products and their receptor expression in early diabetic nephropathy rats

AIM:To investigate the effects of Shenkangwan on advanced glycation end products(AGEs)and receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGEs)in early diabetic nephropathy(DN)rats and the renal protection mechanism of Shenkangwan.METHODS:The DN model was established by a single injection of streptozotocin,and DN rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:model group,Shenkangwan treatment group,irbesartan treatment group,Shenkangwan and irbesartan treatment group.In addition,the normal rats served as control.All rats were received daily gavage respectively for 8 weeks.The urinary protein contents in 24 h,concents of AGEs in the serum and kidney tissues were detected with correlative methods.The expressions of RAGEs and RAGEs mRNA in the kidney tissues were measured by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction,respectively.The pathological changes of the kidney were also detected under optic microscope.RESULTS:In DN rats,Shenkangwan and irbesartan reduced the urinary protein contents in 24 h and the concentrations of AGEs in the serum and kidney tissues,decreased the expressions of RAGEs and RAGEs mRNA in the kidney tissues,and alleviated the morphological damage of kidney remarkably.Furthermore,more satisfactory effect of treatment on DN was observed by the combination of Shenkangwan and irbesartan.CONCLUSION:Shenkangwan and irbesartan play an equivalent and synergistic role in renal protection against DN by reducing the concentrations of AGEs in the serum and kidney tissues,inhibiting the expressions of RAGEs and RAGEs mRNA in the kidney tissues.