左归丸对先天肾虚仔鼠皮肤屏障功能的影响及机制研究OA

Objective This study aimed to investigate the effect of Zuogui Pill(左归丸,ZGP)on skin barrier function in offspring rats with congenital kidney deficiency,based on the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)principle that"the kidney governing water."Meth-ods The Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress(CUMS)model was used to simulate stress during pregnancy in pregnant rats,to establish an offspring model with congenital kidney deficiency.The stratum corneum water content of the offspring's skin was measured using a multifunctional skin tester.Collagen content in the skin was assessed by Masson staining,and the expression of aquaporin 3(AQP3)and filaggrin(FLG)proteins was analyzed by immunohistochemistry(IHC).Additionally,the protein levels of matrix metalloprotein-ase-1(MMP-1)and MMP-3 were detected by Western blot(WB).Results No significant differences were observed in the stratum cor-neum water content among the groups.However,compared with the blank control group,the congenital kidney deficiency group showed significantly lower skin collagen content(P<0.01),significantly higher AQP3 protein levels(P<0.01),and significantly lower FLG protein expression(P<0.01).MMP-1 and MMP-3 protein levels were also significantly elevated in the congenital kidney deficiency group(P<0.01).In contrast,compared with the congenital kidney deficiency group,both the low-dose and high-dose ZGP groups showed significantly increased collagen content(P<0.01),significantly decreased AQP3 protein levels(P<0.01 or P<0.05 as indi-cated),significantly increased FLG protein expression(P<0.01),and significantly decreased MMP-1 and MMP-3 protein levels(P<0.01).Conclusion ZGP,a formula for nourishing the kidney and replenishing essence,increases collagen content,decreases AQP3,MMP-1,and MMP-3 protein expression,and increases FLG expression in the skin of offspring with congenital kidney deficiency,thereby improving skin barrier function.