AUTHOR=Xia Hong , Zhang Bingbing , Yang Dan , Zhu Chengyue , Zhang Jiudan , Chen Hongbo , Ma Hongzhen , Hu Shouci , Xu Chao , Shi Chengqian , Lu Keda , Zhang Peipei 

TITLE=Yi–Qi–Jian–Pi–Xiao–Yu–Xie–Zhuo Formula Improves Muscle Atrophy via Modulating the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in 5/6 Nephrectomized Rats

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.624303

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2021.624303

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=Yi-Qi-Jian-Pi-Xiao-Yu-Xie-Zhuo (YQJPXYXZ) formula is used for treating chronic
kidney disease (CKD) for many years with good efficiency based on cumulative
empirical experience of previous practitioners. Impairment of IGF-1/PI3K/Akt
signaling pathway plays an important role in mediating muscle wasting. This study
aimed to observe effects of YQJPXYXZ formula on muscle atrophy in CKD rats and
investigate its possible mechanism on regulation of the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt signaling
pathway. The 5/6 nephrectomised rats were randomly allocated into 3 groups: CKD
group, KT (Compound α-Ketoacid Tablets) group and YQJPXYXZ group. Besides, a
sham-operated rats as Sham group. All rats were treated for 12 weeks. Results showed
that administration of YQJPXYXZ formula prevented body weight loss, muscle fiber
size decrease. Moreover, YQJPXYXZ formula increased the IGF-1 level of serum and skeletal muscle in CKD rats, and enhanced phosphorylation level of Akt.
52 Furthermore, YQJPXYXZ formula decreased the Atrogin1 and MuRF1 mRNA and
53 MuRF1 protein. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that YQJPXYXZ formula
54 improves muscle wasting in CKD rats, which might be associated with the modulation
55 of IGF-1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and inhibition of ubiquitin-proteasome system
56 (UPS).