Objective: To study the mechanism of Shenkangwan (SKW) in treating early diabetic nephropathy (DN).
Methods: The effect of SKW on NO and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) production by the mesangial cells (MCs) of rats with early diabetic nephropathy was evaluated with serum pharmacological method.
Results: Compared with normal serum, the SKW-containing serum dose- and time-dependently inhibited TGF-beta(1) excretion and increased NO production in the MCs of rats with early DN (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively).
Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of SKW on early DN may rely on the balance modulation of cytokine network by increasing NO production and decreasing TGF-beta(1) excretion to prevent cytokine-induced damage of the MCs.