STUDIES ON ANTINEPHRITIC EFFECT OF TJ-8014, SYO-SAIKO-TO-KYO-SHYOKYO-KA-OUREN-BUKURYOU (5) - EFFECTS ON PUROMYCIN AMINONUCLEOSIDE NEPHROSIS AND ITS MECHANISMS

The effect of TJ-8014, a lyophilized extract of Syo-Saiko-To without Zingiberis rhizoma, annexing Coptidis rhizoma and Hoelen, on puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) nephrosis in comparison with the effect of dipyridamole was evaluated. PAN nephrosis was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injections of PAN, once daily for 6 days. When TJ-8014 was given from the initial day of PAN treatment (just before PAN injection) at 2.0 g and 4.0 g/kg/day, p.o., it was markedly inhibited urinary protein excretion and elevation of serum cholesterol content throughout the experimental periods. In addition, the mild adhesion of Bowman's capsule to capillary walls in glomeruli was also improved by TJ-8014 at 2.0 g and 4.0 g/kg/day, p.o. Dipyridamole was also effective in inhibiting the urinary protein excretion as well as histopathological changes. TJ-8014 at 4.0 g/kg/day, p.o. inhibited the decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD-like), catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the renal cortex and SOD-like activity in the glomeruli in PAN-induced nephrosis. Dipyridamole failed to inhibit the decrease in scavenger activities. These results suggest that TJ-8014 is effective against PAN-induced nephrosis, and they suggest that the mechanisms of action of this medicine may be partly due to the enhancing activities of scavengers in the renal cortex and glomeruli.