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Berberine ameliorates renal interstitial fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction in rats
Author(s) -
Wang FangMing,
Yang Yujie,
Ma Lulin,
Tian Xiaojun,
He Yaqiang
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
nephrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1440-1797
pISSN - 1320-5358
DOI - 10.1111/nep.12271
Subject(s) - berberine , medicine , urology , masson's trichrome stain , fibrosis , malondialdehyde , nephrology , kidney , endocrinology , oxidative stress , pharmacology
Abstract Aim To investigate the potential effects of berberine on renal interstitial fibrosis ( RIF ) of obstructed kidneys in a unilateral ureteral obstruction ( UUO ) rat model. Methods Forty‐eight rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham‐operated, vehicle‐treated UUO , and berberine‐treated UUO . Rats were gavaged with berberine (200 mg/kg per day) or vehicle. Eight randomly chosen rats in each group were kiled and specimens were collected at day 14 after UUO . Physiological parameters and histological changes were assessed, RIF was evaluated using Masson's trichrome and Sirius red staining, oxidative stress and inflammation markers were determined, transforming growth factor β1 ( TGF ‐β1), phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3) and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐ SMA ) were measured using immunohistochemistry or western blotting analysis. The obstruction was relieved at day 14 by percutaneous nephrostomy in the remaining UUO rats. The resistive index of left kidneys was undertaken by coloured D oppler flow imaging at day 14 before nephrostomy and day 7 after the relief. Results Berberine treatment significantly attenuated RIF induced by UUO . The UUO ‐induced reduction in kidney superoxide dismutase and catalase activities increased, whereas elevated kidney malondialdehyde level markedly decreased. Berberine treatment significantly ameliorated UUO ‐induced inflammation, and decreased TGF ‐β1, pSmad3 and α‐ SMA expression of UUO kidneys. Moreover, berberine treatment significantly suppressed the increase of resistive index compared with UUO group at day 14 after UUO as well as day 7 after the relief of obstruction. Conclusion Berberine treatment ameliorates RIF in a UUO rat model by inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and TGF ‐β1/pSmad3 signalling.