Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of Shenshuai Yingyang Capsule (SSYYJN) in ameliorating muscle atrophy in rats
with chronic renal failure (CRF) and explore the role of Wnt7a-Akt/mTOR signal pathway in mediating this effect. Methods
Male rats were randomly assigned to 5/6 nephrectomy group and sham-operated group, and the former group was further
randomly divided into CRF model group, KA group, and SSYYJN group. The size of anterior tibia muscle was examined
microscopically with HE staining. Protein synthesis in the soleus muscle was investigated by 14C-phenylalanine experiment,
and the expression of Wnt7a, frizzled-7, phospho-Akt, phospho-mTOR and GAPDH were detected with Western blotting.
Results The body weight, the wet and dry weight, cross-sectional area, and muscle protein synthesis of the anterior tibia
muscles, and expressions of the proteins in the Wnt7a/Akt signaling pathway all increased significantly in SSYYJN and KA
groups as compared with those in the model group. Conclusion SSYYJN can effectively improve muscle atrophy in the rat
model of CRF possibly by reversing the reduction in the expressions of Wnt7a/Akt signaling pathway proteins in the skeletal
muscles.