Qidan Dihuang decoction (QDD) is the latest development of Chinese medicine compound and mainly provides renal protection. The study presented was designed to evaluate the renoprotective effects of QDD on
streptozotocin-induced diabetes and to explore the possible mechanisms of this action. We established a diabetes rat model. The condition of the rats was observed. The biochemistry indexes for diabetic rats were examined. Renal tissues were stained with HE, PAS, and Masson and we performed immunohistochemical staining for α-SMA and TGF-β. The
proteins expressions of α-SMA, TGF-β,
renin, and AT1 were detected by western blot.
After treatment for 8 weeks, serum
creatinine and 24 h
proteinuria were significantly reduced in the rats which received
losartan and
Qidan Dihuang decoction while
blood glucose, urine volume, blood
urea nitrogen, and KW/BW did not improve. The pathology of renal tissue of rats treated with
losartan and
Qidan Dihuang decoction was inhibited. In addition, western blot showed that the expression of α-SMA, TGF-β,
renin, and AT1
proteins was significantly decreased after receiving
Qidan Dihuang decoction and
losartan. Taken together, the results indicate that
Qidan Dihuang decoction can improve the renal function and inhibit renal
fibrosis of DN rat via modulating RAS system.