Objective To observe the effect of Tongshen Decoction (TD) on
erythrocyte membrane anion (EMA) in rats with adriamycin-
induced
nephrotic syndrome. Methods Rat model of adriamycin- induced nephrotic syndrome was applied and glomerular anionic sites were observed by alcian blue (AB) staining method. Results The content of AB binding to
erythrocyte membrane was much decreased in the model group compared with that in the normal group (P < 0.01) and was increased in prednisone group, TD+ prednisone group and TD group compared with that in the model group(P < 0.01). The content of AB binding to erythrocyte membrane was in decreasing sequence in the groups of TD+ prednisone, prednisone and TD. The decrease of AB content in the above groups was insignificant after dealing with neuramidinase(P > 0.05). Conclusion The content of AB binding to erythrocyte membrane is decreased in the model rats with adriamycin- induced nephrotic syndrome and TD can raise the AB content to normal level and has no effect on the content of sialic acid.