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Updated: Jul 23, 2025

Author Spotlight: Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking to Decipher the Action of Jiawei Shengjiang San Against Diabetic Kidney Disease
Published on: May 10, 2024
Shenkang protects renal function in diabetic rats by preserving nephrin expression
Zhihui Qu1, Biyao Wang2, Yingli Jin3
1Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, No.3302, Jilin Road, Changchun City, Jilin Province, P.R. China.
Background:
Shenkang injection has been used clinically to lower creatinine levels. This study explored the mechanism of Shenkang injection on protecting kidney function from hyperglycemia-mediated damage.
Methods:
This study utilized a STreptoZotocin (STZ)-induced rat model of diabetes. In total, 60 rats were randomized into either the control group (n = 15) injected with vehicle or treatment group (n = 45) injected with STZ to induce hyperglycemia. Eight weeks after diabetes onset, diabetic rats were further randomized to receive different treatments for 4 consecutive weeks, including vehicle (diabetic nephropathy group, n = 15), Shenkang (n = 15), or Valsartan (n = 15). At 12 weeks, a series of urine and blood measures were examined and damage to the kidney tissue was examined using histology. Expression of nephrin and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were characterized using immunohistochemistry and Western blot.
Results:
Compared to the control group, rats in the diabetic nephropathy group showed significant kidney damage demonstrated by high kidneyindex, high levels of urinary albumin, albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), blood urea nitrogen as well as histological evidence. Shenkang injection significantly improved kidney function in the diabetic rats by decreasing kidney index, ACR, and serum creatinine. Shenkang treatment also mitigated kidney damage, improved nephrin expression, and decreased TGF-β1 expression in the kidneys.
Conclusions:
Shenkang treatment protected renal function in diabetic rats by increasing nephrin expression, which protects diabetic rats from hyperglycemia-mediated kidney damage.
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