Objective: To investigate the effect of Danzhi Jiangtang capsules (DJC) on kidney podocyte platelet in type 2 diabetes rat model. Method: Diabetes rat model were established using a high calorie diet and streptozotocin induction (intraperitoneal injection

35 mg·kg-1). Fifty-five rats were randomly divided into five groups;normal group

model group

high-and low-dose DJC group (1.08

0.54 g·kg-1)

pioglitazone group (10 mg·kg-1). The rats received intragastric administration of corresponding medicines for 8 weeks. The proportion of kidney

urine albumin and serum creatinine were measured

and the podocyte ultrastructure was observed by electron microscope. Result: Glomerular basement membrane was thickened

foot process was fused or even disappeared

foot processes hiatus were reduced

the electron dense deposited in the basement membrane and mitochondria in the cytoplasm of podocytes were significantly reduced

rupture of mitochondrial cristae

vacuolar degeneration and lipid droplets were found in model group. Injury of podocytes in high-and low-dose Danzhi groups was significantly less than that in the model group. Meanwhile

basement membrane thickening was not obvious

foot process was broadened even fused. The result was better in the high-dose DJC group than that in the pioglitazone group. Renal pathology report showed that model group had unclear capillary loops

increased glomerular volume and number

widened mesangial area

increased glomerular cyst cavity and vacuolar degeneration

vascular proliferation in renal interstitial and apparent inflammatory cell infiltration were found. It showed that the above changes had good improvement in high and low-dose DJC groups

and high-dose DJC group obtained better results. Morever

the level of urinary albumin and the proportion of kidneyweight were decreased in the all DJC groups (P<0.01)

while serum creatinine has no change as compared with model group. Conclusion: DJC may have kidney protection effect which is contributed by reducing the injury of podocytes and the level of urine micro albumin in diabetic rats.