Research Article

Yiqihuoxue Formula Activates Autophagy and Offers Renoprotection in a Rat Model of Adenine-Induced Kidney Disease

Figure 5

YQHX treatment improved the activation level of renal autophagy in the adenine rats. (a, b) Immunofluorescence staining was applied to detect the changes in LC3-II and p62 expression levels in the control, adenine, and YQHX groups. The puncta with green color indicates the autophagosomes represented by LC3-II, while the red ones indicate p62. The number of rats per group was 5, and 10 pictures were taken randomly from each rat. Scale bar: 20 μm. Magnification: ×400. . (a, b) Semiquantitative analysis using the scoring method. (c) Results of the western blotting analysis of p62 and LC3-II. The high expression level of p62 was downregulated by the YQHX treatment. The higher LC3-II level in the adenine group was increased, with further increased by the YQHX treatment. and . per group.