Shen-Qi-Yan-Shen Formula attenuates diabetic renal lipid deposition by down-regulating proteoglycan expression

Abstract

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is characterized by renal lipid accumulation, often driven by proteoglycan (PG) interactions with lipoproteins. To investigate the effects of Shen-Qi-Yan-Shen Formula (SQYSF) on DN. Db/db mice were used as an experimental model and divided into different groups: db/m normal control, db/db model, SQYSF-treated, captopril-treated, and SQYSF + captopril-treated groups. Mice were treated with saline, SQYSF, captopril, or SQYSF + captopril for 12 weeks. SQYSF significantly reduced blood glucose, lipid levels, and markers of renal damage (blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, urinary albumin) in db/db mice compared to controls. SQYSF downregulated the expression of proteoglycan (PG), apolipoprotein B (apoB), and LDL-receptor in the kidney, suggesting a mechanism that involves reduced lipid accumulation. The protective effects of SQYSF were enhanced when combined with captopril. SQYSF may prevent lipid deposition by modulating PG expression, suggesting its potential as an innovative therapeutic agent for DN.