Experimental study on the protective effects of Curcumin on renal interstitial fibrosis of rat model with unilateral ureteral obstruction

Objective: To observe the protective effects of Curcumin on renal interstitial fibrosis of rat model with unilateral ureteral obstruction( UUO). Methods: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operation group,the UUO model group and Curcumin treatment group,10 rats for each group. All rats were sacrificed at the seventh day after the operation. The level of 24 hours' urinary protein excretion was determined one day before the rats were sacrificed. The obstructed kidney was taken for histology evaluation and molecular biology assay,Scr,BUN and Cystain C were determined for each group. Masson stain was performed as a main indicator of interstitial fibrosis. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin( a-SMA),and collagen I in renal tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry staining,respectively. Results: Compared with those of model group,levels of Scr,BUN,Cystain C were significantly decreased in Curcumin treatment group( P 0. 05),and the area of interstitial fibrosis was significantly decreased( P 0. 05),the expression of collagen I and α-SMA was significantly down-regulated( P 0. 05). Conclusions: Curcumin could decrease the interstitial fibrosis by inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition in UUO rats.