Effect of colquhoumia root on the expression of transforming growth factor-β in mesangial proliferation glomerulonephritis model

Abstract

To study the efficacy and the mechanism of Colquhoumia root (Tripterygium hypoglaucum (Le,vL) Hutch) in the treatment of mesangial proliferation glomerulonephritis (MsPGN), SD rats were injected with anti-thymocyte serum (ATS) to make MsPGN model (anti-Thyl model). The rats were then divided into 3 groups: normal control group, anti-Thyl model group and treatment group. Histopathological (HE, PAS), immunohistochemical, RT-PCR technique and computer imaging analysis system were used to evaluate mesangial matrix production, the expression of TGF-beta1 protein and mRNA in the tissues of kidney. Our result showed that proteinuria and the ratio of extracellular matrix/glomerular capillaries area (ECM/CA) were increased significantly in model group. The expression of both TGF-beta1 protein and mRNA in glomeruli was much higher in model group than in control group (P < 0.01). After the treatment with Colquhoumia root, proteinuria, ECM/CA and the expression of both TGF-beta1 protein and mRNA in glomeruli were significantly decreased in treatment group as compared with those in model group. It is concluded that Colquhoumia root is effective in reducing proteinuria and mesangial matrix proliferation in MsPGN and it may achieve these effects by inhibiting the expressions of TGF-beta1 protein and mRNA of mesangial cells.