Objective: To investigate the renal protective effect and possible mechanism of matrine on experimental cyclosporine A (CsA) induced chronic nephrotoxicity.
Methods: 56 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (olive oil 0. 2 mL/d), CsA group (CsA 20 mg/(kg x d)), Irbesartan group CCsA 20 mg/(kg x d) plus Irbesartan 10 mg/(kg x d)), matrine group CCsA 20 mg/(kg * d) plus matrine 100 mg/(kg x d)), and each group comprised fourteen rats. After treated with drugs, rats were sacrificed at the end of week 2 and 4. The body weight, 24-hours urine and blood sample were collected before rats sacrificed. The rat kidneys were taken and fixed in 10% neutral formaldehyde for HE staining. The osteopontin (OPN) and ectodermal dysplasia 1 (ED-1) were determined by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS Compared to control group, the 24-hour urine of rats, histological scores, the expression of OPN and the ED-1 positive cells number of CsA group were significantly increased, but Ccr was significantly lower (P<0. 05). Matrine could down-regulate OPN expression and decrease ED-1 positive cell infiltration in kidney, compared with CsA group (P <0. 05).
Conclusion: Matrine has a renal protective effect on chronic cyclosporine nephrotoxicity of rat model.