Effects of Zao Huang Mixture (藻黄合剂) on the Expressions of TGF-β1 and Col IV in Human Glomerular Mesangial Cells Cultured in High Glucose Environment

Objective: To investigate the effect of Zao Huang Mixture (藻黄合剂ZHM) on expressions of growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and collagen IV (Col IV) in human glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) cultured in high-glucose environment. Methods: After primary culture of GMC, in vitro culture was carried out in normal group, high glucose group and high glucose medium with ZHM of different concentrations, and the expressions of TGF-β1 and Col IV in the GMC group and in ZHM group were detected at 24 and 48 h respectively. Results: Compared with the normal group, expressions of TGF-β1 and Col IV significantly increased at 24 h, 48 h in the high glucose group (all P<0.01); Compared with the high glucose group, the expressions of TGF-β1 and Col IV in all the ZHM groups significantly decreased at 24 h, 48 h (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: ZHM may modulate the process of diabetic nephropathy by changing the expression of TGF-β1 and Col IV in glomerular mesangial cells.