Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of puerarin on renal cell apoptosis in rats with renal ischemic-reperfusion injury. Method: One hundred and twenty experimental rats were randomly divided into six groups:sham operation group

model control group

ginkgo biloba extract (EGb

100 mg·kg-1) treated group and puerarin 25

50

100 mg·kg-1 treated groups; the model was established by gripping bilateral renal pedicle vessels for 45 min

the drugs were given immediately after reperfusion once a day for 2 weeks. Two weeks later

the weights were measured

and the renal index (RI) was calculated; the content of blood urea nitrogen(BUN)

serum creatinine(SCr)

uric acid(UA) in serum were determined; the histopathological changes in renal tissues was observed by PAS staining; the apoptosis of renal cells was observed by TUNEL staining

and the apoptosis index (AI) was calculated; the expression levels of AKT

B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2(Bcl-2)

Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax) mRNA were detected by Real-time PCR

and the Bax/Bcl-2 was calculated; the expression of Caspase-3 in kidney tissues was detected by Western blot

and a semi-quantitative analysis was performed; the levels of C-reactionprotein(CRP)

tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)

interleukin-1β(IL-1β)

IL-6

intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in plasma were determined. Result: Compared with model control group

the RI in puerarin (100

50 mg·kg-1) treated groups was significantly decreased(P<0.05

P<0.01); the content of BUN

SCr

UA were significantly decreased(P<0.05

P<0.01); the histopathological changes and the apoptosis in puerarin treated groups were significantly alleviated

especially the puerarin (100 mg·kg-1) treated group

and the AI in puerarin (50

100 mg·kg-1) treated groups was significantly decreased(P<0.05

P<0.01); the expression level of Bax mRNA in puerarin (50

100 mg·kg-1) treated groups was significantly decreased

the Bcl-2 mRNA was significantly increased (P<0.05

P<0.01)

the Bax/Bcl-2 was significantly decreased (P<0.01)

and the expression level of AKT mRNA in puerarin (100 mg·kg-1) treated group was significantly increased (P<0.01); the expression of Caspase-3 in puerarin (50

100 mg·kg-1) treated groups was significantly decreased; the level of CRP

TNF-α

IL-6 in plasma of puerarin (50

100 mg·kg-1) treated groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05

P<0.01)

and the IL-1β

ICAM-1 in puerarin (100 mg·kg-1) treated group was significantly decreased (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: Puerarin had effects in depressing renal cell apoptosis and improving renal function of rats with renal ischemic-reperfusion injury

which may be related to up-regulation of the expression of AKT and Bcl-2 gene

inhibition of the expression of caspase-3 protein

down-regulation of the expression of Bcl-2 gene and reduction of Bax/Bcl-2 and inflammatory reaction.