Effect of Qigui Tongluo Granule on Nrf2/NF-κB Pathway of Sciatic Nerve in Diabetes Peripheral Neuropathy Rats

ZHU Mengyan; FANG Zhaohui; LI Yufan; ZHOU Xinxin; ZHANG Yinyu; YIN Yangyang; WANG Shengmao

Abstract：Objective To investigate the mechanism of Qigui Tongluo granule in improving diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)by regulating Nrf2/NF-κB pathway.Methods Ten male SD rats were randomly selected as the blank group,and the remaining rats were induced DPN model by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin.After successful modeling,the rats were randomly divided into mecobalamin group,Qigui group and model group.After 8 weeks of continuous gavage for the corresponding drugs,the blood glucose level of tail tip,mechanical pain threshold(PWMT)and nerve conduction velocity(MNCV)of the rats were measured.The pathological changes of sciatic nerve were observed by HE staining.The serum levels of IL-6,TNF-α,SOD and MDA were detected by ELISA.Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of IκBa,NF-κB,Nrf2,and Keap1 in the sciatic nerve.Results Compared with the blank group,the blood glucose,IL-6,TNF-α and MDA in the model group were significantly increased,while SOD was significantly decreased(P<0.05),PWMT and MNCV were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of Nrf2 and IκBa protein and mRNA in the sciatic nerve was decreased,while the protein and mRNA expressions of NF-κBp65 and Keap1 were increased(P<0.01)in the model group.Compared with the model group,the blood glucose level was significantly decreased in the Qigui group,and IL-6,TNF-α and MDA were significantly decreased,while SOD was significantly increased in the mecobalamin and Qigui groups(P<0.05).PWMT and MNCV were significantly increased,and the expressions of Nrf2 and IκBa protein and mRNA in the sciatic nerve were increased,while the expressions of NF-κBp65 and Keap1 protein and mRNA were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the morphology of sciatic nerve was significantly improved in the mecobalamin and Qigui groups.Conclusion Qigui Tongluo granule may improve the nerve conduction velocity of diabetic peripheral neuropathy rats by regulating Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathway,reducing inflammatory reaction and improving oxidative stress injury.