Effect of matrine on diabetic nephropathy mices based on the TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway
Objective To investigate the effect of matrine on improving diabetic nephropathy(DN)through transforming growth factor β/signal transduction protein(TGF-β/Smads)pathway.Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into NC group,DN group,DN+matrine group,and DN+metformin group,with 10 mice in each group.Except for NC group,other groups were established DN models by high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ).After successful modeling,DN+matrine group was treated with matrine for 4 weeks,DN+metformin group was treated with metformin,DN and NC groups were given equal volumes of 0.9%NaCl.Western blot was used to detect the expression of collagen Ⅳ(Col Ⅳ),fibronectin(FN),Smad family member 2/3(Smad2/3),and phosphorylated Smad2/3(p-Smad2/3)in kidney.Biochemical method were used to detect blood glucose,creatinine,and urea nitrogen levels of mice.Results In NC group,DN group and DN+matrine group,blood glucose levels were(8.16±2.53),(24.84±4.67)and(23.88±3.57)mmol·L-1;blood creatinine levels were(36.48±5.63),(97.51±10.59)and(41.88±7.26)mmol·L-1;urea nitrogen levels were(53.11±4.72),(91.50±8.62)and(63.29±5.69)mmol·L-1;Col Ⅳ protein expression levels in kidney were 1.00±0.19,3.34±0.58 and 1.99±0.44;FN protein expression levels were 1.00±0.21,3.63±0.47 and 1.79±0.43;p-Smad2/3/Smad2/3 were 1.00±0.18,2.74±0.51 and 1.08±0.33.Above indicators showed statistically significant differences between NC group and DN group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Matrine can effectively inhibit the activation of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway and reduce the polyproduct of extracellular matrix-related proteins,thus playing a protective role in DN kidney injury.