title: [Effect of triptolide on the expression of RANTES in the renal tissue of diabetic nephropathy rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of triptolide (TPL) on the renal tissue of diabetic rats and its possible mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (as the normal group), the diabetic model group (the model group), the low dose TPL treatment group (the low dose TPL group, TPL 0.2 mg/kg by gastrogavage), the high dose TPL treatment group (the high dose TPL group, TPL 0.4 mg/kg by gastrogavage). Equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in the normal group and the model group. Five rats were randomly selected from each group at week 4, 8, and 12 of the experiment to detect body weight, kidney weight, 24 h urinary albumin (24 h UAL), plasma glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), total triglyeride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), white blood cell (WBC), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The mRNA and protein expression of regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) in the renal tissue was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The renal tissue was pathologically stained by HE, PAS, and Masson staining. The glomerular and renal tubular interstitial lesions were observed at each time point. The glomerular sclerosis index (GSI) was observed by PAS staining, and the renal interstitial filrosis index (RIFI) was calcutated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the same group at week 4, the expression of 24 h UAL, RANTES, GSI, and RIFI at week 12 significantly decreased in two TPL groups (P <0.01). Compared with the same group at week 8, the expression of 24 h UAL, RANTES, GSI, and RIFI at week 12 also significantly decreased in the two TPL groups (P <0. 05, P <0.01). Compared with the normal group, body weight and the kidney weight obviously decreased at week 4, 8, and 12 in the model group (P <0. 01); 24 h UAL, FBG, TG, TC, HbA1c, RANTES, GSI, and RIFI were obviously elevated (P <0.01). Compared with the model group, 24 h UAL, RANTES, GSI, and RIFI also decreased in the two TPL treatment groups (P <0.01). Compared with the low dose TPL group, they were attenuated in the high dose TPL group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TPL could not only inhibit the over-expression of RANTES, but also improve the glomerular sclerosis and renal interstitial fibrosis in the renal tissue of diabetic rats.
authors.forename: Jia-jin
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Bao-fa
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yu-zhi
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Xiao-chun
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018946:Chemokine CCL5 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000378:metabolism; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000378:metabolism; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000378:metabolism; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D018946:Chemokine CCL5; D004224:Diterpenes; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010616:Phenanthrenes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C001899:triptolide