Tripterygium glycoside ameliorates kidney injury in diabetic rats by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

To discuss protective effect of Tripterygium Glycoside (TG) on renal injury in diabetic rats and preliminary exploration of its mechanism. The rats were divided into Normal, Model, Low, Middle and High groups. Measuring FBG, TG, TC, HDL-C, BUN and Scr concentration by ELISA assay; using coomassie brilliant blue method to measure 24 h Urine protein. Measuring Kidney index; using HE staining to observation renal histomorphological changes; The ultrastructural changes of renal tissue were observed by transmission electron microscope; TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis of rat renal cells; using WB assay to evaluate PTEN, PI3K, Akt, Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 expression. Compared with Normal group, FBG, TG and TC concentrations significantly increased and HDL-C concentration significantly decreased (P < 0.001); BUN, Scr and 24 h Urine protein significantly up-regulated (P < 0.001); Kidney weight and KI significantly down-regulated; Kidney injury score and apoptosis cell number significantly increased (P < 0.001) with PTEN, Bcl-2 protein downregulation and PI3K, Akt, Bax and caspase-3 protein expression significantly up-regulation in Model group (P < 0.001). With TG supplement, the kidney injury significantly improved. TG improved diabetic induced kidney injury via PI3K/Akt pathway in vivo.