Effect of Astragalus extract on Apoptosis of Tubular Epithelial Cells in Rat Model of Renal Ischemia/reperfusion Injury

Objective:To study the effects of Astragalus extract(AE)on apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells in a rat model of renal ischemia/reperfusion(IR)injury and explore its possible mechanisms.Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into sham operation group,IR group and IR + AE(0.5,1.0,2.0g/kg)treatment group.After clamping bilateral renal pedicles for 45 minutes and allowing reperfusion for 6 hours,the apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxy-UTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)method.Caspase 3 activity was detected by the fluorescent detection system.The mRNA expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were examined by real-time PCR.Results:Compared with sham group,IR group had significant increase on apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells,Caspase 3 activity and Bax mRNA expression as well as decrease on Bcl-2 mRNA expresion,which was improved by AE pretreatment in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion:AE inhibited apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells in a rat model of IR injury,which was possibly involved in regulation of Bax/Bcl-2 expression.