The Effects of Prunus on Diabetic Nephropathy Rats Induced by Unilateral
Nephrectomy and Streptozotocin

Kim, Nam-kyu; Oh, Jae-seon; Jeon, Sang-yun

The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine > Volume 35(4); 2014 > Article

Original Article

The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine 2014;35(4): 519-531.

挑仁이 일측 신절제와 streptozotocin으로 유발된 당뇨병성 신증 Rat에 미치는 영향

김남규, 오재선, 전상윤

동신대학교 한의과대학 내과학교실

The Effects of Prunus on Diabetic Nephropathy Rats Induced by Unilateral Nephrectomy and Streptozotocin

Nam-kyu Kim, Jae-seon Oh, Sang-yun Jeon

Dept. of Internal medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dong-Shin University

Correspondence

Sang-yun Jeon ,Tel: 062-350-7207, Fax: 062-350-7551, Email: damiano70@hanmail.net

Published online: December 30, 2014.

ABSTRACT

Objectives:
Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end stage renal disease. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, type Ⅳ collagen, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) are the main factors of diabetic nephropathy. We investigated the effects of Prunus on renal function and histopathological changes of diabetic nephropathy rat model induced by unilateral nephrectomy and streptozotocin.

Methods:
Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (290±10 g) by injecting streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) into the tail vein after unilateral nephrectomy. Rats were divided into 3 groups (n=6): normal, control, and Prunus. After 8 weeks of oral administration of Prunus extract on the Prunus group from 3 days after streptozotocin injection, we checked weight, 24 hrs urine, blood biochemistry and renal tissue to evaluate renal function and histopathological changes by examining parameters including albuminuria, BUN, creatinine, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, TGF-β1, type Ⅳ collagen, AGEs, and AT1. We also measured mRNA expression of TGF-β1, type Ⅳ collagen, AGEs, and AT1 by Real Time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results:
Prunus decreased the amount of 24 hrs proteinuria, and inhibited histopathological changes of diabetic nephropathy including the expression and accumulation of TGF-β1, type Ⅳ collagen and AGEs which could promote development of diabetic nephropathy. Prunus also inhibited mRNA expression of TGF-β1, type Ⅳ collagen.

Conclusions:
These findings suggest that Prunus might protect the renal function and inhibit the development of renal injury by regulating factors including TGF-β1, type Ⅳ collagen, AGEs, except AT1, so Prunus can be used for diabetic patients to prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Key words: diabetic nephropathy, Prunus, unilateral nephrectomy, streptozotocin