Abstract: Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of Shenkang injection on levels of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF - α), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF - β1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) of mouse peritoneal mesothelium cells (MPMCs) cultured in vitro. Methods MPMCs were cultured and identified, and divided into blank control group (group A, DMEM), positive control group (group B, DMEM+140 mmol /L glucose), low (group C), medium (group D) and high (group E) doses of Shenkang injection groups (culture medium of B group + volume ratio 1%, 2%, 4% Shenkang injection). MPMCs and culture supernatamt were collected respectively after being cultured for 24 hours. The levels of TNF-α, TGF-β1, VEGF and CTGF in the supernatant were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of mRNA transcription of these four cytokines were detected by real-time RT-PCR. Results Compared with group A, TNF-α, TGF-β1, VEGF and CTGF levels in culture supernatant and mRNA levels in cultured MPMCs were significantly increased in group B (P＜0.05). Compared with group B, after adding Shenkang injection to cell culture medium, all of TNF-α, TGF-β1, VEGF and CTGF induced by high- concentration glucose and mRNA levels in cultured MPMCs were decreased with a dose-dependent way. Conclusion A certain concentration of Shenkang injection can inhibit the expression and transcription of TNF- α, TGF-β1, VEGF and CTGF induced by high-concentration glucose in MPMCs.

Key words: kidney diseases, retroperitoneal fibrosis, cytokines, Shenkang injection, mice peritoneal mesothelial cells