title: Evaluation of the indicative roles of seven potential biomarkers on hepato-nephrotoxicity induced by Genkwa Flos.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Genkwa Flos, a classical traditional Chinese medicine, is used for the definite antitumor activity and tends to be taken overdose or long term in these years. While the excessive application can result in damage to liver and kidney. In this study, the indicative roles of seven potential biomarkers were evaluated to investigate hepato-nephrotoxicity in the early stages after oral administration of Genkwa Flos for 14 days.
  
  
  METHODS
  Histopathology, serum biochemistry and seven potential biomarkers in serum or urine from male Sprague-Dawley rats were monitored. Hepatic and renal tissues were histopathologically examined to identify specific changes occurring. Routine serum biochemical parameters were tested by using standard clinical laboratory methods. Seven biomarkers including cholic acid, taurine, 5-oxoproline, hippuric acid, uric acid, 3-indoxyl sulfate and kynurenic acid were detected by a developed LC-MS method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The histopathological alterations and the increased levels of serum biochemistry were detected on the 8th day after Genkwa Flos treated. The seven analytes were also found significantly changed in Genkwa Flos treated group, especially cholic acid, taurine, 5-oxoproline and hippuric acid which were changed on the 2nd or 4th day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although serum biochemistry and histopathology suggested that Genkwa Flos was responsible for the hepato-nephrotoxicity that occurred following the ingestion of this medicinal herb, evaluation of these biomarkers might be more beneficial for the early detection of liver and kidney injuries. This study could be further used in hepatic and renal failures caused by other reasons in the following research works.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
authors.forename: Liqiang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, 501 North Columbia Rd., Grand Forks, ND 58202 USA.
authors.forename: Ruowen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
authors.forename: Yuanyuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
authors.forename: Lunhui
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
authors.forename: Bingjie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
authors.forename: Kexia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
authors.forename: Kaishun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China. Electronic address: cxh_syphu@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Xiaohui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Biomarkers; Genkwa Flos; Hepatotoxicity; Nephrotoxicity