Objective: Radiographic contrast media can induce renal failure and it may serve as an experimental model of acute renal failure (ARF). The study was aimed to determine the protective effect of Shengmai Injection (SMI) on contrast medium-associated ARF in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: Twenty healthy SD rats of both sex were randomly divided into two groups, Group A (control group) treated with glycerin + 0.9 % saline + meglucamine diatrizoate, and group B (preventive group) with glycerin + SMI + meglucamine diatrizoate. Results: In Group B, the levels of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, renal phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and calcium were all significantly lower than those in Group A, P < 0. 01. The results indicated the renal injury induced by meglucamine diatrizoate was alleviated by SMI. Conclusion: SMI could prevent renal tissue from contrast media induced nephropathy in SD rats. The effect may partially owe to its preventing intracellular calcium accumulation, inhibiting PLA2 activity and dilating renal vessels.
