Introduction:To investigate the role of Huaiqihuang granule in the inhibition and immune regulation of peritoneal fibrosis in peritoneal dialysis rats.
Methods:Peritoneal fibrosis rat models were established and subsequently assigned to five groups: a normal group (Group A); a model group (Group B); a low‐concentration treatment group (Group C); a medium‐concentration treatment group (Group D); and a high‐concentration treatment group (Group E). The normal rats served as the control group (Group A). All rats underwent intragastric administration of Huaiqihuang granules for a duration of 21 days.
Results:Peritoneal histopathological staining showed that group B rats had the highest degree of peritoneal fibrosis. In the intervention group, the degree of peritoneal fibrosis decreased with the increase of concentration of Huaiqihuang granule with a significant difference (p <0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expression of TGF‐β1, TNF‐α, and α‐SMA in rat peritoneal tissue was higher in group B than in group E (p< 0.05). Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) detection of mRNA expression of TGF‐1 and fibronectin in rat peritoneal tissues: group B>group C>group D>group E>group A (p<0.05). The macrophage phagocytosis function, the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T cells, and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in peripheral blood were lowest in group B compared to groups C, D, and E (p < 0.05). In contrast, the levels of IL‐2, IL‐6, TGF‐β1, and TNF‐α were highest in group B (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:It is speculated that Huaiqihuang granule may be used clinically as effective drugs to improve peritoneal fibrosis and regulate immune function in peritoneal dialysis patients.