Inhibitory effect of an aqueous extract of Radix Paeoniae Alba on calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis in a rat model

Figures & data

Figure 1. CaOx crystal morphology and number (400×). (A) Crystal formation in the control group during the crystal dissolution test. (B) RPA extract (64.0 mg/mL) was added to the formed CaOx crystals for 24 h. (C) Number of crystals in the two tests.

Table 1. Biochemical variables in urine and kidney tissue (x ± s).

Parameter (units)	Group A	Group B	Group C	Group D	Group E	Group F
Urine/24 h
Oxalate (mmol/L)	0.62 ± 0.09	5.94 ± 0.65^a	5.82 ± 0.67^a	5.58 ± 0.74^a	2.18 ± 0.17^a,b	0.72 ± 0.08^b,c
Calcium (mmol/L)	2.45 ± 0.37	1.02 ± 0.13^a	1.05 ± 0.28	1.18 ± 0.11	2.03 ± 0.15^b	2.37 ± 0.31^b
Citrate (mmol/L)	0.99 ± 0.13	0.78 ± 0.20	0.81 ± 0.34	0.72 ± 0.41	1.58 ± 0.44^a,b	3.98 ± 1.21^a,b,c
Magnesium (μmol/L)	6.57 ± 0.81	7.28 ± 1.84	7.13 ± 0.90	6.61 ± 0.83	7.38 ± 0.53	6.86 ± 0.72
Kidney (mg/g)
Oxalate	2.37 ± 0.19	7.23 ± 0.91^a	7.58 ± 1.19^a	7.39 ± 1.27^a	4.13 ± 1.12^a,b	2.03 ± 0.56^a,c
Calcium	2.96 ± 0.37	2.65 ± 0.43	2.71 ± 0.55	2.83 ± 0.73	2.95 ± 0.63	2.88 ± 0.44

The data are presented as the mean ± SD. ^ap < .05 compared with group A, ^bp < .05 compared with group B, and ^cp < .05 for group F compared with group E.

Figure 2. Histopathology and crystal deposition in the rat kidney. (A) Gross anatomy of the kidney (left to right: groups A, B, D and F). (B) Micrograph of HE-stained renal tissue. (C) Pathological alterations and CaOx-deposition scores. Green arrows indicate renal crystals; red arrows indicate inflammatory infiltration. The data are presented as the mean ± SD. *p < .05 compared with group A; #p < .05 compared with group B; and $p < .05 compared with group E.

Figure 3. Bacterial urine cultures. (A) group A; (B) group B; (C) group D; and (D) group F.

Figure 4. OPN immunostaining (A–F) in renal tissue (200×).

Figure 5. Western blots for OPN expression. (A) Renal OPN expression was analyzed by Western blotting. (B) Quantitative densitometric analysis of OPN expression. The data are presented as the mean ± SD of three experiments (*p < .05 compared with group A, #p < .05 compared with group B, and $p < .05 for group F compared with group E).