[Animal modeling] - establishment of a rat model of renal edema induced by doxorubicin

  Objective: To investigate the feasibility of replicating a combined model of renal edema in rats.

  Method: A rat model of kidney yin deficiency edema was created by gavage of thyroid hormone tablets and tail vein injection of doxorubicin. The rat model of kidney yang deficiency edema was created by intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone and tail vein injection of doxorubicin. By observing the changes in physical signs, 24-hour urine protein content, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid (T4), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), estradiol (E2), and testosterone (T) levels of model rats, the success of the model can be determined.

  Result: The animals in the Yin deficiency edema group showed clinical manifestations such as hyperactivity, hair loss, dry stools, weight loss, and elevated body temperature. Compared with the blank group, the T3, T4, cAMP, E2, and 24-hour urine protein content were significantly increased, while cGMP and T content were reduced. The cAMP/cGMP ratio was significantly increased, and all indicators showed significant differences (P<0.05). The animals in the Yang deficiency edema group showed signs of decreased activity, loose stools, decreased body weight and temperature. Compared with the blank group, the levels of T3, T4, cAMP, and E2 were significantly reduced, while the levels of cGMP, T, and 24-hour urine protein were significantly increased. The cAMP/cGMP ratio decreased, and the differences in all indicators were significant (P<0.05).

  Conclusion: The animal disease combination models induced by thyroid hormone tablets combined with doxorubicin, hydrocortisone injection combined with doxorubicin, are in line with the diagnosis of kidney yin deficiency and yang deficiency edema in traditional Chinese medicine, and the modeling method is feasible.