Effects of 1,25(OH)_(2) vitamin D_3 on interstitial fibrosis in unilateral ureteric obstruction rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of 1,25(OH)_(2)D_(3) on renal interstitial fibrosis in rats.Methods: Male SD rats(7 weeks old) were divided into 4 groups at random: ①the treatment group(6 rats): Unilateral ureteric obstruction(UUO)+1,25(OH)_(2)D_(3) 3 ng/100 g body wt/day intraperitoneally(I.P),②the control group(6 rats): UUO + ethanol by I.P,③UUO group(6 rats),④sham operated group(6 rats).Kidneys were harvested at day 7 after UUO.Fibrosis was assessed by measuring tissue hydroxyproline content.Tissue NF-κB expression was determined by RT-PCR. Results: UUO for 7 days significantly activated NF-κB,induced interstitial fibrosis in obstructed kidneys in the control group and UUO group compared with sham operated group rats.Conversely daily administration of(1,25(OH)_(2)D_(3)) significantly inhibited NF-κB expression,inflammatory cell infiltration and decreased interstitial fibrosis in obstructed kidneys in the treatment group. Conclusion: 1,25(OH)_(2)D_(3) had beneficial effects on interstitial fibrosis in SD rats with UUO,and this effect may be associated with 1,25(OH)_(2)D_(3) inhibits NF-κB expression and inflammatory cell infiltration.