Effect of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) treatment on expression of TNF-α in rat models of nephrotic syndrome (NS)

Objective: To investigate the effect of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) treatment on TNF-α expression in rat models of nephrotic syndrome (NS). Methods: Fourty-eight rat models of nephrotic syndrome (proteinuria over 100 mg/d) were successfully prepared with i.v. adriamycin. After two weeks, half of the models (n=24) were treated with intrapenitoneal LMWH (200u/kg/d). Animals were sacrificed in the two groups of models at the end of 2nd, 3rd and 4th week. The 24h urinary protein, ser- tun albumin and TNF-α levels were measured in these animals. Results: In the nephrotic syndrome models, the serum TNF-α levels were significantly higher than those in the 18 control rats. The levels were positively correlated with the amount of 24h proteinuria (P<0.01). In the models treated with LMWH, the serum TNF-α levels decreased, 24h proteinuria decreased with increased serum albumin (vs the corresponding values in those models without LMWH treatment, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: LMWH treat- merit could decrease the serum TNF-α levels in rat models of nephrotic syndrome, which might be one of the nephro-protective mechanisms of LMWH. (authors)