Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Shenshuai Yangzhen capsule, a preparation of traditional Chinese medicine, on lipid metabolism disorder in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF) and explore its mechanism.
Methods: Fifty male SD rats received 5/6 nephrectomy for preparation of CRF models and were randomized into CRF group, gemfibrozil group, high-, moderate- and low-dose Shenshuai Yangzhen groups, and normal control group. After 4-week treatment as indicated, myocardial lipoprotein lipase messenger RNA (LPL mRNA) level were measured by RT-PCR in rats with surgically induced renal failure (two-stage subtotal nephrectomy). The blood lipid parameters in CRF rats were also determined.
Results: Compared with those in the CRF group, the plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in the treatment groups were significantly lower with substantially elevated plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and LPL gene expression. No significant differences were noted between different dose groups of Shenshuai Yangzhen.
Conclusion: Shenshuai Yangzhen capsule can regulate blood lipid levels in rats with renal insufficiency possibly by enhancing LPL gene expression.