Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of grape seed procyanidins (GSP) on renal function and structure in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and to discuss the possible mechanism. Methods 24 male SHR (8-week-old) were randomized into 4 groups (n=6 each group): SHR , low and high dose GSP group (50 and 200 mg/kg) , captopril used for positive control group (30 mg/kg), meanwhile, 6 Wistar Kyoto rats (8-week-old) were randomly served as control group. After 6 weeks treatment, tail systolic pressure, urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (SCr) contents in serum, malondiadehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in the renal cortex of the rats were measured respectively. Cystain C (Cys C) level in serum was detected by ELISA. Changes of renal structure were observed after HE staining. Western blot was performed to detect the expressions of ERK1/2 protein in the renal cortex. Results GSP could significantly decrease tail systolic pressure (P<0.01), improve renal function parameters, reduce MDA content and the expression of ERK1/2 in renal cortex (P<0.05), but increase SOD and CAT activity (P<0.05), relieve renal structure injury, especially in high dose GSP group (P<0.01). Conclusion GSP has a beneficial effect on renal function and structure injury in SHR, and its mechanism may be involved in GSP could lower the SBP, inhibit oxidative stress and reduce expression of ERK1/2 in renal cortex.

Key words: Grape seed procyanidin, spontaneous hypertensive rats, kidney, oxidative stress, ERK1/2