Objective: To observe the effect of Cordceps Sinensis (CS) on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in the kidney of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR), and to investigate the mechanism of CS.
Methods: Male SHRs (23 week old) were randomly divided into 4 groups: a group without any treatment (Group S), a group treated with Cordceps sinensis at 4 g/(kg.d)(Group C), a group treated with fosinopril at 10 mg/(kg.d) (Group F), and a group received daily intragastric administration of CS at 4 g/(kg.d) and fosinopril at 10 mg/(kg.d) (Group CF). At the same time, 6 male WKY rats were used as normals controls. At the end of 8 weeks, all rats were sacrificed. Serum creatinine(Scr), 24 h urinary protein count, and the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were examined by immunohistochemical technique and RT-PCR.
Results: Compared with the WKY rats, blood pressure, 24 h urinary protein count, Scr,and the expression of ICAM-1 andVCAM-1 in the kidney of SHR significantly increased (P<0.05).Compared with Group S, blood pressure decreased after treatment by fosinopril (P<0.05). Compared with Group S, the levels of Scr, 24 h urinary protein count, and glomerular lesion were significantly reduced in the CS and/or fosinopril treatment group. The expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was significantly decreased in these groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: CS may play a role in the protection and anti-fibrosis in the process of renal injury in SHR through reducing the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1.