Effect of genistein and L-carnitine and their combination on gene expression of hepatocyte HMG-COA reductase and LDL receptor in experimental nephrotic syndrome

Background: nephrotic syndrome is a disorder that leads to hyperlipidemia. l-carnitine and genistein can effect on lipid metabolism and the syndrome. in the present study,we have delved into the separate and the twin-effects of l-carnitine and genistein on the gene expressions of hmg-coa reductase and ldl receptor in experimental nephrotic syndrome. methods: in this controlled experimental study,50 male sprague–dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: nc (normal-control),pc (patient-control),lc (l-carnitine),g (genistein),lcg (l-carnitine-genistein). adri-amycin was used for inducing nephrotic syndrome and the spot urine samples and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio were measured. hepatocytic rna was extracted and real-time pcr was used for hmg-coa reductase and ldl receptor gene expression measurement. results: the final weight of the patients groups were lower than the nc group (p=0.001),and weight gain of the nc group was higher than the other groups (p<0.001). the proteinuria and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio showed sig-nificant differences between pc group and lc,g and lcg groups at week 7 (p<0.001). the expression of hmg-coa reductase mrna down regulated in lc,g and lcg groups in comparison with pc group (p<0.001). δct of ldlr mrna showed significant differences between the pc group and the other patient groups (p<0.001). conclusion: this study shows a significant decreasing (p<0.001) and non-significant increasing trend in hmg-coa reductase and ldlr gene expression,respectively,and synergistic effect of l-carnitine and genistein on these genes in experimental nephrotic syndrome. © 2015,iranian journal of public health. all rights reserved.