Objective: To observe protective effects of Astragalus injection on renal function

morphological changes in type 2 diabetic KKAy mice. Method: Male KKAy mice were randomly divided into model group

Astragalus injection treatment group(ip

3 mL ·kg-1 ·d-1)

the same age male C57BL/6J mice were selected as normal control group. Blood glucose regularly

blood urea and serum creatinine at 20

24 and 28 weeks of age were measured respectively. Light microscopy and electron microscope were used to observ renal pathological changes in mice of different ages. Result: At 20 weeks of age

blood glucose and blood urea levels in model group KKAy mice were significantly higher than the normal mice (P<0.01). At 24 and 28 weeks of age

serum creatinine levels were significantly higher than the normal mice (P<0.01). At Astragalus injection treatment group KKAy mice with 20 weeks of age

blood glucose was significantly higher than that of normal group(P<0.01)

but lower than the model group mice(P<0.05 or P<0.01). At 24 and 28 weeks of age

Astragalus injection treatment group KKAy mice serum creatinine level was significantly lower than model group mice (P <0.01); and from 20 weeks of age

blood urea levels were significantly lower than the model group mice (P <0.01)

but compared with normal group

no significant difference was found. Model group KKAy mice showed widened mesangial areas

basement membrane thickening

vacuoles in renal tubular epithelial cells

increased renal interstitial connective tissue and other pathological changes from 20 weeks of age

lesions with ages increased. Lesions in the mice treated by Astragalus injection were markedly improved. Conclusion: Astragalus injection can improve kidney function

reduced pathological changes in kidney of KKAy mice with type 2 diabetes.