Effects of Shengjiangsan, white silkworm and Periostracum cicadae on cytokines in Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis

Abstract

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP, also named IgA vasculitis) is a common childhood vascular disease, which is characterized by immunoglobulin A (IgA deposition) in small blood vessels; HSP causes kidney involvement to develop Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSPN). However, the exact pathogenesis of HSPN is not fully understood, and it is still necessary to explorer new drugs for the treatment of HSPN. In this study, bovine serum albumin (BSA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and carbon tetrachloride (ClC4) were used to induce IgAN in rat, and the blood stasis and heat syndrome model was established concurrently, and was combined to establish the HSPN model. The therapeutic effects of different doses of Shengjiangsan (5, 10, 20 g/kg), white silkworm (1, 2, 4 g/kg), and Periostracum cicadae (0.5, 1, 2 g/kg) on HSPN model rats were studied, then 24 h urine was collected and blood from the abdominal aorta was taken to detect the protein changes in urine and blood. Immunofluorescence staining was used assess to IgA deposition in glomeruli. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels were measured in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and periodic acid Schiff (PAS), immunohistochemical staining was performed to observe the histopathological changes in kidney tissues. In addition, Western blotting was used to detect the changes in the expression levels of IgA, TNF-α, and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). In the results, Shengjiangsan, white silkworm, and Periostracum cicadae could significantly reduce the levels of urine protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (CREA) in HSPN rats. Serum levels of IgA, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were significantly reduced in the treatment groups. The treatment group can effectively improve renal tissue inflammation and mesangial hyperplasia. The accumulation of IgA protein in renal tissue was significantly reduced in the treatment group. The expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, TLR4, and IgA were significantly reduced and responded in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) decreased in kidney tissues in the treatment groups. In conclusion, Shengjiangsan, white silkworm, and Periostracum cicadae could improve HSPN in rats by reducing renal inflammation and fibrosis, and the therapeutic effects of white silkworm and Periostracum cicadae were slightly better than Shengjiangsan.