Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

08:50
5/6th Nephrectomy in Combination with High Salt Diet and Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition to Induce Chronic Kidney Disease in the Lewis Rat
Published on: July 3, 2013
Curcumin induces Nrf2 nuclear translocation and prevents glomerular hypertension, hyperfiltration, oxidant stress,
Edilia Tapia1, Virgilia Soto, Karla Mariana Ortiz-Vega
1Renal Pathophysiology Laboratory, Department of Nephrology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, 14080 Mexico City, DF, Mexico. ediliatapia@hotmail.com
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
|August 25, 2012
Summary
Curcumin, a natural antioxidant, protects against kidney injury after 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6NX) by activating the Nrf2 pathway. This reduces oxidant stress, hypertension, and improves kidney function in rats.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Renal injury after 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6NX) involves oxidant stress, glomerular hypertension, hyperfiltration, and impaired Nrf2-Keap1 pathway.
- Understanding protective mechanisms against 5/6NX-induced renal damage is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if curcumin induces Nrf2 nuclear translocation.
- To determine if curcumin prevents 5/6NX-induced renal injury, oxidant stress, and hemodynamic changes.
Main Methods:
- Rats were divided into control, 5/6NX, 5/6NX + curcumin (CUR), and CUR groups.
- Curcumin (60 mg/kg/day) was administered orally starting seven days before 5/6NX or sham surgery.
- Evaluations were conducted 30 days post-surgery, assessing proteinuria, blood pressure, renal function markers, and histological damage.
Main Results:
- Curcumin attenuated 5/6NX-induced proteinuria, systemic and glomerular hypertension, and hyperfiltration.
- Histological analysis showed curcumin reduced glomerular sclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, and inflammation.
- Curcumin treatment prevented increases in plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, associated with enhanced Nrf2 nuclear translocation and preserved antioxidant enzyme activity.
Conclusions:
- Curcumin exerts protective effects against 5/6NX-induced renal dysfunction and injury.
- The renoprotective mechanism involves Nrf2 pathway activation, preventing oxidant stress and maintaining antioxidant enzyme levels.
- Curcumin ameliorates glomerular and systemic hypertension and hyperfiltration post-nephrectomy.