[Effects of Rhein on the hypertrophy of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells induced by high glucose and angiotensin II in rats].

Objective: To explore the effect of Rhein on the hypertrophy of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells induced by high glucose and angiotensin II in rats.

Methods: Studies were performed on anesthetized SD rats. Renal proximal tubular were gained by microdissection and cultured in RPMI-1640 medium. The cell types were identified by immunocytochemistry. The renal proximal tubular epithelial cells were incubated with high glucose (30 mmol/L) and angiotensin II (10(-7) mol/L) to induce the hypertrophy of cells. To observe the effect of Rhein on hypertrophy induced by high glucose and angiotensin II, renal proximal tubular epithelial cells were cultured with different concentrations of Rhein (30, 15, 5 mg/L) for 72 h, then cell size, 3H-leucine incorporation, and cellular protein content were detected to observe the changes.

Results: High glucose (30 mmol/L) and Ang II (10(-7) mol/L) induced hypertrophy of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells result in, cell size, 3H-leucine incorporation and cellular protein content increased significantly. On the contrary, Rhein inhibited the hypertrophy of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells induced by high glucose and Angiotensin II. Rhein 30 mg/L significantly decreased cell size, 3H-leucine incorporation and cellular protein content. Rhein 15 mg/L decreased 3H-leucine incorporation and cellular protein content. Rhein 5 mg/L decreased cellular protein content.

Conclusions: Rhein can inhibit the hypertrophy of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells induced by high glucose and Angiotensin II in rats.