Study on Mechanism of Compound Qiling Formula Granules in Treatment of Hyperuricemia in Rats

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of Compound Qiling Formula granules in treatment of hyperuricemia in rats, and to explore its mechanism from the excretion pathway of uric acid. METHODS The SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, benzbromarone group and high, medium and low dose group of Compound Qiling Formula granules(9.6, 4.8, 2.4 g·kg^-1). Establish the hyperuricemia model by adenine gavage and subcutaneous injection of potassium oxalate for 14 consecutive days. The levels of serum uric acid, creatinine, urea and urine uric acid were tested respectively, the clearance rates of uric acid in kidney were calculated. The expression of related transporters in kidney of animals was measured by RT-PCR. The pathological changes in kidney were observed. RESULTS Compared with model group, the levels of serum uric acid, creatinine and urea of the hyperuricemia rats in Compound Qiling Formula granules groups were significantly reduced, the clearance rates of uric acid in kidney were significantly increased; their pathological changes of kidney tissue showed that they had less urate crystals of renal tubules and less renal tubule-interstitial damage. Compound Qiling Formula granules could significantly down-regulate the mRNA expression of uric acid transporter 1, glucose transporter 9 and up-regulate the mRNA expression of organic anion transporter 1. CONCLUSION Compound Qiling Formula granules can reduce uric acid level and alleviate renal pathological damage in rats with hyperuricemia. Its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the expression level of uric acid transporters, so as to reduce the reabsorption capacity of renal uric acid salt, increase the secretion of uric acid salt, thus promoting the excretion of uric acid.