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Open Access 01-12-2008 | Original Article

Simvastatin ameliorates glomerulosclerosis in Adriamycin-induced-nephropathy rats

Authors: Wei Zhang, Qiu Li, Lijia Wang, Xiqiang Yang

Published in: Pediatric Nephrology | Issue 12/2008

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of simvastatin, a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, on inflammation and glomerulosclerosis in Adriamycin (ADR)-induced nephropathy. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, ADR nephrosis, and simvastatin-treated ADR nephrosis groups. ADR nephropathy was induced by a single-tail intravenous injection of ADR (6.5 mg/kg). Anti-inflammatory effects of simvastatin were studied by evaluating the expression of the inflammatory mediators interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). In addition, renal function, serum lipid levels, and histopathology were compared between groups. Simvastatin significantly decreases IL-1β and TGF-β1 expression and NF-κB activation, accompanied by significant attenuation of glomerulosclerosis and renal function at 12 weeks after ADR injection, and these changes occurred in the absence of lowering of serum lipids. These results suggest that overexpression of inflammation in the renal region may contribute to development of glomerulosclerosis in ADR-induced-nephropathy rats, and simvastatin treatment prevented glomerulosclerosis independent of the lipid-lowering effects. The beneficial effect of simvastatin might be mediated by the effect of anti-inflammatory action through a reduction of NF-κB activation, and IL-1β and TGF-β expression.

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Title: Simvastatin ameliorates glomerulosclerosis in Adriamycin-induced-nephropathy rats
Authors: Wei Zhang
Qiu Li
Lijia Wang
Xiqiang Yang
Publication date: 01-12-2008
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Pediatric Nephrology / Issue 12/2008
Print ISSN: 0931-041X
Electronic ISSN: 1432-198X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-008-0933-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Simvastatin ameliorates glomerulosclerosis in Adriamycin-induced-nephropathy rats

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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