Effect of Astragalus on the Expression of Connective Tissue Growth Factor(CTGF) Protein and CTGF mRNA in Renal Tissues of Rats with Diabetic Nephropathy

Objective To investigate the effect of Astragalus on the expression of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)protein and CTGF mRNA in kidney tissues of rats with diabetic nephropathy.Methods Rat model with diabetic nephropathy was established by unilateral nephrectomy,high-carbonhydrate and high fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ).The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups that is sham-operation group,model group,Astragalus treated group and irbesatan(IRB)treated group.Animals were sacrified at 12 weeks.Pathological examination of renal tissues was carried out.The expression of CTGF protein in renal tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry assay.The expression of CTGF mRNA was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Compared with sham-operation group the expression of CTGF and CTGF mRNA were increased significantly in renal tissues of model group(P0.01).However,the expression of CTGF and CTGF mRNA in Astragalus treated group were significantly decreased in comparison with model group(P0.05).Conclusion Astragalus could be used to treat diabetic nephropathy and the mechanism may be related to down-regulating the expression of CTGF protein and CTGF mRNA.