Mechanism research of Bu-Shen-Huo-Xue formula against renal fibrosis in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy via E-cadherin, α-SMA, and TGF-β1

Objective: Renal fibrosis generally results in renal failure during the end stage of chronic renal diseases. There are many cell factors including E-cadherin, alpha-SMA, and TGF-beta 1 influencing deposition of extracellular matrix and leading to renal fibrosis. As the most important and widely-used therapy for various diseases in China for thousands of years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a novel treatment for renal fibrosis. For clinical application, we explore the effect of Bu-Shen-Huo-Xue formula (BSHX), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, on E-cadherin and a-SMA in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy. Materials and methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy to induce chronic renal failure (CRF); they were divided into three groups including a CRF control group, a BSHX group, and a Cozaar group, and compared with a normal control group. After 8 weeks of therapy with the respective drug, E-cadherin, alpha-SMA, and TGF were detected by immunohistochemistry assays in renal tissues. Results: As the immunohistochemistry assays indicated, BSHX could significantly enhance the expression of E-cadherin and depress the levels of alpha-SMA and TGF-beta 1 expression in rats' renal tissues with 5/6 nephrectomy. Conclusion: BSHX can effectively relieve the renal fibrosis in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy via the change of cell factor levels including enhancement of the expression of E-cadherin and depression of the levels of alpha-SMA and TGF-beta 1 expression.