Effect of simvastatin on renal expression of NF-κB and iNOS in endotoxin-induced septic rats

Objective To investigate the effect of simvastatin on the renal pathology and expression of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)in septic rats.Methods Ninety specific-pathogen free(SPF)healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:group A(intravenous saline),group B(intravenous LPS,5 mg/kg),and group C(intravenous LPS,5 mg/kg;and intravenous simvastatin,20 mg/kg).Each group consisted of 30 animals.Six rats in each group were randomly sacrificed at 2 h,4 h,6 h,12 h and 24 h,and then the right kidneys were removed.Pathological changes and NF-κB and iNOS expression were determined by histopathology and immunohistochemistry,respectively.Results There were normal glomeruli and tubules in group A,diffuse inflammatory cell infiltrate and severe tubular damage in group B,and mitigation of pathological changes in group C.Expression of NF-κB and iNOS in group B was significantly higher than that in group A and group C(P0.01 or 0.05).Conclusion Simvastatin can ameliorate the renal pathology by down-regulation of NF-κB and iNOS expression in septic rats.