A Pharmacodynamic Study of Bushentongluofang,a Traditional Chinese Medicine formula,in Rats with Experimental Membranous Glomerulonephritis

Purpose To observe the therapeutic effects of Bushentongluofang(BSTLF),a traditional Chinese medicine formula,on the membranous glomerulonephritis(MGN) induced by cationized bovine serum albumin(C-BSA) in rats,and to explore its mechanism of action.Methods Rats were randomly divided into three groups: BSTLF-treated group,the vehicle control group and the normal control group.MGN induced by C-BSA in the two formers.The apozem of BSTLF was intragastrically administered to the rats in treated group for 4 weeks.24 h urine protein and some serum biochemical parameters related to renal alterations were measured.The pathological alterations of kidney tissue were examined using light,immunofluorescence,and electron microscopy.Results The 24 h urine protein and the serum levels of urea(Ur),creatinine(Cr),triglyceride(TG) and cholesterol(CHO) in the vehicle control group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group;on the contrary the serum total protein(TP) and albumin(Alb) were lower.The glomerular basement membrane(GBM) was thickened,the immune complexes deposited in the subepithelial space of the GBM and the foot processes of epithelial cells were largely effaced in the kidney of rats in the vehicle control group.Compared with the vehicle control group,the urinary protein excretion and the levels of Ur,Cr,TG and CHO were increased,and TP and Alb were decreased in BSTLF-treated rats.The thickening of GBM was less pronounced,Subepithelial deposits were rarefied,and other pathological lesions were ameliorated in the renal tissue of rats treated.Conclusion The administration of Bushentongluofang may be an effective treatment to restore renal histology and to improve renal function in this experimental model of renal disease.