Effect of Radix Astragali on High-Glucose Induced Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Cultured Renal Mesenchymal Fibroblast

Objective To study in vitro the hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)expression in human renal mesenchymal fibroblast under high-glucose stimulation,and to explore whether the effect of Radix Astragali(RA)in postphoning the progression of diabetic nephropathy is related with its action on HGF.Methods Human renal mesenchymal fibroblast was cultured in media with different concentration of glucose.HGF mRNA transcription levels in various time points were determined by RT-PCR,and HGF protein secretion was detected by ELISA.Then the cultured cells were stimulated with RA con- tained serum to observe the change of HGF.Results Cells grown in the high-glucose medium showed HGF expression in early stage,which decreased gradually,illustrating that HGF expression was correlated with the existence of high-glu- cose.After treatment with RA contained serum,level of HGF increased significandy.Conclusion: RA could implement its anti-fibrosis function through inducing HGF production,so as to postphone the progression of diabetic nephropathy.