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). adriamycin 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 significant 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.