Effects of Liuwei Dihuang Decoction(六味地黄汤) on TGF-β1 and BMP-7 in Rats With Chronic Renal Failure

Objective To observe the effects of Liuwei Dihuang Decoction( Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction,六味地黄汤) on the tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transformation( EMT) in rats with chronic renal failure(CRF). Methods Sixty SD rats were randomized into the normal group(n = 10),sham operation group(n = 10),model group(n = 20) and Liuwei Dihuang Decoction group( n = 20). The CRF models were established with 5 /6 nephrectomy in the model group and Liuwei Dihuang Decoction group. The renal capsule was isolated in the sham operation group without removal of the kidney. There was no treatment in the normal group. The Liuwei Dihuang Decoction group was gavaged with Liuwei Dihuang Decoction [6. 75 g /( kg·d) raw drug]. The other groups were gavaged with an equal volume of distilled water once daily for 8 weeks. The expressions of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),TGF-β1 mRNA,bone morphogenetic protein-7(BMP-7) and BMP-7 mRNA were detected with immunohistochemistry,WesternBlot and RT-PCR. Results Comparing with the sham operation group,the expressions of TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 mRNA were significantly increased but the expressions of BMP-7 and BMP-7 mRNA were significantly decreased in the model group( P 0. 01). Comparing with the model group,the expressions of TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 mRNA were significantly decreased but the expressions of BMP-7 and BMP-7 mRNA were significantly increased in the Liuwei Dihuang Decoction group( P 0. 01). Conclusion Liuwei Dihuang Decoction(六味地黄汤) can inhibit tubular EMT in rats with CRF possibly by decreasing the expressions of TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 mRNA and increasing the expressions of BMP-7 and BMP-7 mRNA,which may be its mechanism of anti-renal interstitial fibrosis.