Protective effects and mechanism of astragalus preparation on renal damage induced by fast compression and decompression in rats

Objective To investigate protective effects and mechanism of astragalus preparation on renal damage induced by fast compression and decompression in rats.Methods 54 SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups,i.e.the control group consisting of 18 rats without any treatment;the fast compression and decompression group ( fast group) consisting of the same number of rats were exposed to fast compression and decompression;The astragahs experimental group of 18 rats were orally administrated with astragalns preparation (10 g/kg) before and after fast compression and decompression.SCr,SOD and MDA in the renal tissue were measured 1 h,2 h and 12 h following fast compression and decompression.Pathological changes in the renal tissue were observed 1 h after fast compression and decompression.Results SCr and MDA in renal tissue in the fast and experimental groups were higher than that of the control group ( P < 0.01 ).SCr and MDA in the renal tissue in the experimental group were lower than those of the fast group ( P <0.01 ).SCr and MDA in the renal tissue after 2 h were higher after 1 and 12 h within group (P <0.01);SOD in the renal tissue in fast and experimental groups was lower than that of the control group ( P < 0.01 ).SOD in the renal tissue for the experimental group was higher than that of the fast group at all time points(P <0.01 ).SOD in the renal tissue after 2 h was lower than the 1 and 12 h within group (P<0.01).Conclusions Astragalus preparation might be effective against renal damage following fast compression and decompression.Its mechanism might be due to reduced production of MAD and consumption of SOD. Key words: Fast compression and decompression; SCr; SOD; MDA; Astragalus