In the study, the inhibitory effect of
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on
Calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis and its possible mechanism were investigated. The rat
Calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis model was induced through the combined
oral administration of
ethylene glycol and
ammonium chloride, which was intervened with EGCG. Rat blood samples were collected to detect blood
creatinine (Cr), blood
urea nitrogen (BUN) and blood
calcium. Rat urine samples were collected to observe and compare 24-hour urine volume,
oxalic acid (Ox) and
calcium in urine. Renal samples were collected to prepare tissue slices and observe the pathological changes in
Calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. The expression of
osteopontin (OPN) in renal tissues was evaluated by Real-time PCR and Western blot. According to the results, compared with normal rats, rats in the
nephrolithiasis model showed significant increases in Cr, BUN, urine
Calcium, urine Ox and renal OPN expression (P < 0.05), but obvious decrease in 24-hour urine volume (P < 0.05); Compared with rats with
nephrolithiasis, those processed with EGCG revealed remarkable declines in Cr, BUN, urine
Calcium and urine Ox (P < 0.05), with significant rise in 24-hour urine volume (P < 0.05) in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, compared with the control group,
nephrolithiasis rats showed significant pathological changes in
Calcium oxalate calculus. After ECCG treatment, the renal pathological changes and OPN expression attenuated significantly in a concentration-dependent manner. The results showed that EGCG inhibits the formation of
calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis in rats and shows a notable protective effect on renal functions.