Modified
Huangqi Chifeng decoction (MHCD) has been used to reduce
proteinuria in
immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) for many years. Previously, we have demonstrated its protective role in glomerular mesangial cells. Podocyte injury, another key factor associated with
proteinuria in IgAN, has also attracted increasing attention. However, whether MHCD can reduce
proteinuria by protecting podocytes remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of MHCD against podocyte injury in a rat model of IgAN. To establish the IgAN model, rats were administered
bovine serum albumin,
carbon tetrachloride, and
lipopolysaccharide. MHCD in three doses or
telmisartan was administered once daily for 8 weeks (n = 10 rats/group). Rats with IgAN developed
proteinuria at week 6, which worsened over time until drug intervention. After drug intervention, MHCD reduced
proteinuria and had no effect on liver and kidney function. Furthermore, MHCD alleviated renal pathological lesions,
hyperplasia of mesangial cells, mesangial matrix expansion, and podocyte foot process fusion. Western blot analysis revealed that MHCD increased the expression of the podocyte-associated
proteins nephrin and
podocalyxin. Additionally, we stained podocyte nuclei with an antibody for
Wilms' tumor protein one and found that MHCD increased the podocyte number in rats with IgAN. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that MHCD attenuates
proteinuria by reducing podocyte injury.