Therapeutic effect of Huaiqihuang granules on rats with adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome based on Th1/Th2 balance
WEI Jiahui
LEI Fengying
HUANG Xianhui
ZHAO Yanjun
HUANG Weifang
QIN Yuanhan
Abstract：Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of Huaiqihuang granules on rats with adriamycin-induced ne-phrotic syndrome(NS)based on the balance of type 1 helper T cells(Th1)/Th2,and its possible mechanism of action.Methods Twenty-four rats were divided into the normal group,model group,prednisone group(positive control group)and Huaiqihuang group by using random number table method,with 6 rats in each group.Except for the rats in the normal group,the rats in the other groups were given a single-dose caudal vein injection of adriamycin at 6.0 mg/kg to construct the NS models.Two weeks later,the rats in the prednisone group were given prednisone suspension at 6.3 mg/kg by ga-vage daily.The rats in the Huaiqihuang group were given Huaiqihuang granule suspension at 2 g/kg by gavage daily.The rats in the normal group and model group were given an equal volume of double-distilled water by gavage daily for 4 consec-utive weeks.General conditions,body weight,and 24-hour urinary protein quantification were observed in each group.Renal function indices(creatinine,urea nitrogen)and lipid metabolism indices(total cholesterol,triglycerides)were compared.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy were performed for morphological observa-tion,while real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of Th1/Th2-related factors in renal tissues(interferon-γ,interleukin 4,T-box transcription factor 21,and GATA binding protein 3).The content of IFN-γ and IL-4 in the homogenate of renal tissues was detected by ELISA,and the expression of TBX21 and GATA3 pro-tein in the renal tissues was detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with the normal group,the body weight and albumin level were lower,but 24-h urine protein quantification,creatinine,urea nitrogen,total cholesterol and tri-glyceride levels were higher(all P<0.05);the renal tubules showed dilated lumens,interstitial inflammatory cell infiltra-tion,and protein casts were visible;the relative expression levels of IFN-γ and TBX21,as well as the IFN-γ mRNA/IL-4 mRNA ratio,were higher in the renal tissue,while the relative expression levels of IL-4 and GATA3 mRNA were lower(all P<0.05);the content of IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 was higher in the homogenate of renal tissues,while the content of IL-4 was lower(all P<0.05);the relative expression of TBX21 protein was higher in the renal tissues,while the relative ex-pression of GATA3 protein was lower in the rats of the model group(both P<0.05).In the prednisone and Huaiqihuang groups,the above-mentioned changes were all improved,and all quantitative indices showed statistically significant differ-ences in comparison with those of the model group(all P<0.05).Conclusions Huaiqihuang granules can improve the pathological changes and renal function of rats with adriamycin-induced NS.It may reduce the damage of cytokines to renal tissues by regulating the expression of TBX21 and GATA3 and the imbalance between Th1 and Th2.
Keywords：nephrotic syndrometype 1 helper T cells/type 2 helper T cellsHuaiqihuang granulesinterferon γinterleukin-4T-box transcription factor 21GATA binding protein 3rats
Publication Date：2025-08-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-09-10(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 42-47 )