参芪泄浊饮通过Rab7/Caveolin-1/MMP-2信号通路对UUO大鼠肾脏纤维化的作用机制研究OA

Objective To observe the mechanistic role of Shenqi Xiezhuo Decoction(参芪泄浊饮,SQXZD)in renal interstitial fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)rats by affecting the Rab7/caveolin-1/MMP-2 signaling pathway.Methods After 7 days of adap-tive feeding,60 male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group,model group,a Niaoduqing gran-ule(NDQ)group,and low/medium/high-dose SQXZD groups,with 10 rats in each group.Except for those in the sham operation group,all rats underwent left ureteral ligation to establish the UUO rat model.After 14 days of successful model replication,intragastric administration was performed for a continuous 14-day intervention.Renal morphology was observed,and the levels of serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum uric acid(SUA),serum potassium(K⁺),serum sodium(Na⁺),and serum chloride(Cl⁻)were measured.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining were employed to observe renal histopathological changes.Immunohistochemistry(IHC)was used to detect the expression of collagen-1,vimentin,and α-SMA proteins.The expression of caveo-lin-1,Rab7,and MMP-2 proteins was detected by Western blot(WB).Results Rats in the sham operation group exhibited normal physiological status.The model group showed signs of renal injury,including listlessness,emaciation,and hair loss.Renal function indicators and renal tissue fibrosis markers(vimentin,collagen-1,α-SMA)were abnormally elevated(P<0.01).Masson/HE staining revealed collagen deposition and destruction of glomerular/tubular structure.Following intervention with SQXZD,the physiological status and biochemical indicators of rats in each dose group and the NiDQ group were improved,with the most significant effects were observed in the high-dose group(P<0.01).The degree of renal fibrosis was alleviated,accompanied by decreased expression of caveo-lin-1 and Rab7 proteins and restoration of MMP-2 activity,confirming that this formula inhibits the progression of renal fibrosis by regu-lating the Rab7/caveolin-1/MMP-2 axis.Conclusion Shenqi Xiezhuo Decoction(参芪泄浊饮,SQXZD)can ameliorate renal function,renal interstitial fibrosis,and inflammatory responses in UUO rats.Its mechanism of action may be related to the downregulation of the renal interstitial fibrosis-associated Rab7/caveolin-1/MMP-2 signaling pathway.