Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of oxymatrine on expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and inflammatory factors in the kidney tissue of rats with diabetes mellitus (DM) and to explore the possible mechanisms of oxymatrine involved in anti-inflammation and anti-fibrosis. Methods The DM rat model was established by tail-vein injection of Streptozotocin. The rats were randomly divided into two groups: diabetic group (DM) and oxymatrine treatment group (OM) (8 in each group). Meanwhile, 8 rats were grouped into normal control group (NC group). The rats in the OM group were given oxymatrine solution (75 mg/kg) by gastric gavage once a day for 16 w after the DM rat model was established. After 16 w, the rats were sacrificed to detect relevant biochemical parameters, and observe the pathological changes of the kidneys and pancreas as well. In addition,immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were employed to detect the protein expressions of TLR4, protein kinase Cα (PKCα) and collagen IV. And the expressions of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were detected by ELISA. Results Compared with the NC group, the levels of blood glucose and 24-h urine protein were remarkably increased in the DM group (P < 0.05). The protein expressions of TLR4, PKCα and collagen IV in the kidneys were increased in the DM group (P < 0.05), and the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased in the DM group (P < 0.05). Compared with the DM group, the levels of blood glucose and 24-h urine protein were remarkably reduced in the OM group, and the protein expressions of TLR4, PKCα and collagen IV in the kidneys were reduced and the expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly reduced in the OM group (P < 0.05). Conclusions Oxymatrine may down-regulate the expression of TLR4 in the kidneys of diabetic rats,reduce the expressions of inflammatory factors and the accumulation of extracellular matrix via inhibiting the expression of PKCα.