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. 2024 Oct 15;16(10):5326-5336.
doi: 10.62347/HJVG8103. eCollection 2024.

Effect of QingreHuoxue formula on Th17 cells and Tregs in mice with idiopathic membranous nephropathy

Chengli Lou  1 , Yijing Zhou  1 , Jian Liao  1 , Xiuqin Xu  1 , Ke Huang  1 , Xiaoping Fan  1 , Pingxin Hu  1 , Xiangjing Wang  1 , Bo Feng  1 , Fuxiang Zhu  1
Affiliations

Effect of QingreHuoxue formula on Th17 cells and Tregs in mice with idiopathic membranous nephropathy

Chengli Lou et al. Am J Transl Res. .

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the QingreHuoxue formula on mice with Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy (IMN) and its impact on Th17 cells and Tregs.

Methods: A mouse model of IMN was established, and the mice were treated with traditional Chinese medicine, western medicine, or a combination of both. The efficacy and immunomodulatory effects of the QingreHuoxue formula were evaluated by examining renal pathology, urinary protein levels, peripheral blood Th17 and Treg cell counts, and comparing the expression levels of IL-17 and transforming growth factor-β1 in renal tissues.

Results: Compared to the untreated IMN model group, the IMN mice treated with TCM, western medicine, or the combination showed significant improvements in proteinuria, renal pathology, peripheral T lymphocyte counts, and IL-17 expression in renal tissues. Notably, the group treated with a combination of Chinese and western medicine exhibited better outcomes than the group treated with western medicine alone.

Conclusions: The QingreHuoxue formula was effective in reducing proteinuria, modulating T cell immune function, and protecting renal tissue in mice with IMN.

Keywords: QingreHuoxue formula; idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Protocol of animal experiments.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Urine protein at baseline and 16-hours. A. Urine protein test dipsticks on day 1 of treatment; B. 16-hour urinary protein volume (mg). *P < 0.05 C, W, C+W vs. IMN. Western Medicine (W), Traditional Chinese Medicine plus Western Medicine (C+W), idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN).
Figure 3
Figure 3
H&E and PAS staining results.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Immunofluorescence staining. (A) Sham group, (B) IMN group, (C) C group, (D) W group, (E) C+W group, (F) Fluorescence intensity (n=10). *P < 0.05 vs. IMN group. Western Medicine (W), Traditional Chinese Medicine plus Western Medicine (C+W), idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Renal specimens under transmission electron microscope. (A) Sham group, (B) IMN group: BGM thickening + immune complex protrusion, (C) C group: a small number of immune complexes protrude below the epithelium, (D) W group: a small number of immune complexes protrude below the epithelium, (E) C+W group: a small number of immune complexes protrude below the epithelium. Western Medicine (W), Traditional Chinese Medicine plus Western Medicine (C+W), idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Flow cytometry results. A. The proportion of Th17 cells in peripheral blood. B. The proportion of Treg in peripheral blood. C. Relative cell proportion of Th17 cells and Treg. *P < 0.05 vs. IMN group. Western Medicine (W), Traditional Chinese Medicine plus Western Medicine (C+W), idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Expression of IL-17 and TGF-β1 in renal specimens. A. Immunohistochemical staining of IL-17 and TGF-β1. B. Results of immunoblotting. C. Results of q-PCR. *P < 0.05 vs. IMN group. Western Medicine (W), Traditional Chinese Medicine plus Western Medicine (C+W), idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN).
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