Effects of Triptolide on expression of toll-like receptor 4 in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Objective To observe the effects of Triptolide on the expression of toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） in renal ischemia/reperfusion （I/R） injury in rats. Methods A renal I/R model was established. Rats were randomly separated into the following experimental groups. Group 1, shamoperated control （n = 15） ： rats were subjected to surgical manipulation, without the induction of renal ischemia. Group 2, I/R （n = 18）： rats were subjected to left renal ischemia for 45 min followed by reperfusion. Group 3, TRI ＋ I/R （n = 18）： Before the I/R procedure （as in group 2）, rats were intraperitoneally injected with TRI （0.4 mg/kg）, once every day, three times. Rats were killed at the 1st, 3rd, and 5th day after I/R injury. The parameters of renal function were determined by autobiochemical analyzer. The expression of TLR4 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results As comparedwith the sham-operated control group, serum BUN and Cr levels were significantly increased in the rats undergoing I/R procedure at the 1st, 3rd, and 5th day （P〈0. 01）. After the treatment with TRI, the levels of BUN and Cr and the expression of TLR4 in the renal tissues were significantly decreased （P〈0. 05）. Conclusion TRI could relieve renal I/R injury in rats by inhibiting the TLR4 expression. Key words: Triptolide;  Ischemia/reperfusion;  TLR4