Effect of Shenyanshu granules on oxidative stress and albuminuria in patients with early diabetic kidney disease

Objective To understand the mechanism of the anti-protein urine through observing the changes of oxidative stress and albuminuria in patients with early diabetic kidney disease before and after treatment. Methods A total of 78 patients with early diabetic kidney disease who were hospitalized in the Department of Nephrology at Yidu Central Hospital affiliated to Weifang medical college from February 2013 to July 2015 were selected as the study subjects. They were divided into the control group (n=40) and the observation group (n=38) using a random number table. Both groups were given basic treatment such as dietary control, hypolipidemic and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), and given routine insulin therapy for diabetes. The patients in the observation group took 5 g Shenyanshu granules each time, 3 times a day. The value of urinary protein creatinine ratio (PRO/Cr), podocyte apical membrane Podocalyxin protein to creatinine ratio (PCX/Cr), albumin creatinine ratio (Alb/Cr), immunoglobulin G creatinine ratio (IgG/Cr), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in two groups were monitored before and 6 months after treatment, respectively. Results After 6 months of treatment, the SOD activity in the observation group was significantly greater than that before treatment (P<0.01) and the control group (P<0.05). MDA content after treatment in the observation group was significantly lower than before treatment (P<0.01). As compared with the control group, MDA content in the observation group decreased (P<0.05). Urinary PCX/Cr and Alb/Cr after treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than before treatment and control group (P<0.01). There was no significant change in urine PRO/Cr and IgG/Cr in two groups before and after treatment. Conclusions Shenyanshu granules can reduce albuminuria in patients with early diabetic kidney disease, which may be related with the protecting effect of oxidative stress on podocyte apical membrane protein PCX.