Nephroprotective effects of Isaria felina in rats with adenine-induced chronic renal failure

Objective Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a progressive, life-threatening condition with limited treatment options. Cordyceps sinensis is a fungus that has nephroprotective effects, and Isaria felina (IF) is a fungus isolated from C.sinensis fruiting bodies. We evaluated IF efficacy using an adenine-induced CRF animal model. Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal control (n=8) and adenine groups (n=32; 100mg/kg for 30 days). The adenine group was subdivided into a model control group (n=7), a positive control group (200mg/kg Jinshuibao capsule (JSB; n=8), and two IF groups (200mg/kg, n=8; 100mg/kg, n=8). After treatment for 30 days, animals were narcotized and abdominal aortic blood was analysed. Kidney functions were evaluated. Key findings Higher serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid levels, and lower creatinine clearance was observed in the model control group compared with JSB and IF groups (P<0.05). Red blood cell count, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels in the 200mg/kg IF group were higher than in the model control group (P<0.05). Transforming growth factor-1 mRNA expression in the model control group was higher than the normal control and 200mg/kg IF groups (P<0.05). Epidermal growth factor mRNA in the model control group was lower than in the normal control and both IF-treated groups (P<0.05). Structural renal damage was observed in all adenine-treated rats, but was less severe in the JSB and IF groups. Conclusion IF may reverse the damaged kidney functions-induced with adenine in rats.