[Effect of rhubarb on expressions of aquaporin-2 and -4 in rat's kidney].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of rhubarb on expressions of aquaporin-2 and 4 (AQP2 and AQP4) in rat's kidney.


METHODS
Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, the normal control group, and the three rhubarb groups medicated via gastrogavage with low, mid and high dose of rhubarb extract (total anthraquinone) respectively. The 6 h and 24 h urine volume were measured, and the protein and mRNA expressions of AQP2 and AQP4 in renal tissue were determined with immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR.


RESULTS
No significant difference between the control group and the low dose rhubarb treated group was found in urine volume, as well as in AQP2 and AQP4 protein and mRNA expressions. But the urine volume was obviously higher, the protein and mRNA expressions of AQP2 and AQP4 were markedly lower in rats after mid/high dose rhubarb medication respectively when compared with those in the normal controls (all P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Rhubarb can inhibit the protein and mRNA expressions of AQP2 and AQP4 in rats' kidney, which probably is one of the mechanisms of rhubarb for diuresis.
Bao
Jun-qiang
JQ
Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'An.
Li
Feng
F
Zhang
Wen-sheng
WS