Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Atorvastatin by the Modulation of NF-κB Expression during Hyperglycemia-Induced Nephropathy in Rat

Objective: Atorvastatin has the pleiotropic effects, including anti-inflammation and antioxidant. Therefore, this study considered to examine the effects of atorvastatin on NF-қB expression, as a main transcription factor for expression of inflammatory cytokines, in hyperglycemia-induced nephropathy in rat. Materials and Methods: Twenty four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups; Normal, Normal treatment, Diabetic, and Diabetic treatment. Rats were made diabetic by an intravenous injection of streptozotocin (۴۰ mg/kg). Treated rats received atorvastatin for ۶۰ days (۴۰ mg/kg/day). At the end of experiment, blood samples were collected for measurement of blood glucose. Moreover, the mRNA expression level of NF-қB in kidney was determined by RT-PCR technique. Results: Induction of diabetes significantly increased the mean value of blood glucose in diabetic rats (>۴۵۰ mg/dl) compared with normal rats (P=۰.۰۰۱). Chronic hyperglycemia also increased the mRNA expression level of NF-қB in diabetic kidney. Moreover, the mean value of kidney index was significantly increased in diabetic rats compared to normal group (P=۰.۰۰۱). Treatment with atorvastatin in diabetic rats for ۶۰ days reduced the mRNA expression level of NF-қB and kidney index compared to non-treated diabetic rats (P=۰.۰۱۴). Conclusion: Our findings revealed that atorvastatin is able to prevent the development of diabetic nephropathy during chronic uncontrolled hyperglycemia possibly by the inhibition of NF-қB expression in the kidneys of diabetic rats.

Keywords:

Nephropathy , Atorvastatin , Hyperglycemia , NF-қB