Abstract: OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of Shenkangyin on MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels of patients with early diabetic nephropathy,so as to understand its mechanism in treating early diabetic nephropathy.METHOD 60 patients were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,the former taking captopril and Shenkangyin and the latter taking only captopril for 4 week.RESULT After the treatment,UMA and TIMP-1 levels decreased and MMP-9 level increased in the treatment group,with marked difference as compared with the levels before the treatment(P<0.05).In the experimental group,the changes were even more obvious(P<0.05,P<0.01).In the experimental group,FPG level decreased,with marked difference as compared with the levels before the treatment(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Shenkangyin can markedly increase MMP-9 level and decrease TIMP-1 level,owing its effect of regulating MMP-9/TIMP-1 balance and inhibiting the thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and the hyperplasia of extracellular matrix.