2011•China Journal of Chinese Materia MedicaRequires access
Effect of berberine on expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and type Ⅳ collagen proteins in mesangial cells of diabetic rats with nephropathy
TANG Liqin
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect and mechanism of berberine on diabetic nephropathy in experimental rats. METHOD: The rat model of diabetic nephropathy was induced by injection of streptozocin (STZ). The rats were divided into 6 groups: control group, model group, 3 berberine treatment groups and Xiaoke Wan (XKW) treatment group. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), kidney weight/body weight (KW/BW), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) and urinary protein (Upro) were tested 8 weeks later. The expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and type IV collagen (IV-C) proteins in renal tissue of diabetic rats with nephropathy were observed by optical micrography. RESULT: Berberine could reduce the levels of FBG, KW/BW, BUN, Cr, Upro and the expression of TGF-beta1 and IV-C proteins in renal tissue of diabetic rats with nephropathy. CONCLUSION: Berberine may protect renal function and slow down the progression of diabetic nephropathy in rats by suppressing the expression of TGF-beta1 and IV-C proteins in renal tissue.