Effects of No.2 Renal Failure Recipe on expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and -1 mRNAs in rats with chronic renal failure.
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effects of No. 2 Renal Failure Recipe (No. 2RFR), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) mRNAs in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF).


METHODS
A rat model of CRF was successfully established by infarction of approximately two-thirds of the left kidney and removal of the right kidney (ablation/infarction, A/I). Thirty A/I rats were randomly divided into untreated group, celebrex group and No. 2RFR group. Another 10 SD rats were selected as normal control group. After 2-month treatment, the pathology of the nephridial tissue was observed with hematoxylin and eosin straining under a light microscope. Renal function including serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was determined by using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Expressions of COX-2 and COX-1 mRNAs in nephridial tissues were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
No. 2RFR could significantly decrease the levels of SCr and BUN. Renal function and morphology of CRF rats were ameliorated and the expressions of COX-2 mRNA were decreased significantly in the No. 2RFR group and the celebrex group, but the expressions of COX-1 mRNA had no differences among the four groups.


CONCLUSIONS
No. 2RFR can improve renal function and reduce glomerular sclerosis and renal fibrosis by inhibiting the over-expression of the COX-2 mRNA.
Pu
Guan-jun
GJ
Department of Nephrology of Shuguang Hospital, Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases of Ministry of Education, E-institute of Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200021, China.
Wang
Chen
C
Zheng
Ping-dong
PD
He
Li-qun
LQ
D000818:Animals; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496513:Ptgs1 protein, rat; C489691:Ptgs2 protein, rat