商陆皂苷甲对大鼠Heymann肾炎的治疗作用及对细胞因子的影响

目的： 商陆皂苷甲(EsA)对大鼠Heymann肾炎(passive Heymann nephritis，PHN)的治疗作用及机理。方法： 大鼠sc Fx1A抗原的抗体制成自身免疫性肾小球肾炎，EsA 5,10和20 mg.kg^-1.d^-1 ip，连续14 d。结果： EsA可以显著减少肾炎大鼠尿蛋白的产生，电镜和免疫荧光检查发现EsA治疗后肾炎大鼠病理情况明显好转。EsA治疗对血清中炎性细胞因子肿瘤坏死因子（TNF）、白细胞介素1（IL-1）和白细胞介素6（IL-6）的产生具有显著的抑制作用。结论： EsA对大鼠Heymann肾炎具有显著治疗作用，抑制细胞因子产生可能参与EsA抗炎机制。

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF ESCULENTOSIDE A ON PASSIVE HEYMANN NEPHRITIS IN RATS AND ITS INHIBITION ON CYTOKINE PRODUCTION

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effects of esculentoside A, a kind of saponin isolated from the root of the Chinese herb Phytolaca esculenta, on passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) in rats. METHODS: PHN was prepared by injecting Fx1A antibody in rats, and esculentoside A 5, 10 and 20 mg.kg^-1 were administered intraperitonealy once a day for 14 consecutive days for the treatment of PHN rats. RESULTS: Esculentoside A 5, 10 and 20 mg.kg^-1 decreased urine protein production significantly. Pathological analysis revealed that deposits of IgG along the capillary wall of the glomerulus, glomerulus base membrane thickness and electron-dense deposits in PHN rats after treatment with esculentoside A were less than those in control rats. Decreased levels of TNF, IL^-1 and IL-6 were observed in the sera of PHN rats following esculentoside A administration. TNF, IL^-1 and IL-6 are important cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lesions. CONCLUSION: Esculentoside A possessed potent anti-inflammatory effects on PHN. Inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production may partially explain the anti-inflammatory effects of esculentoside A.