ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of silymarin on expressions of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-?B) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in the kidneys of rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)-induced renal fibrosis.Methods Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operated group(n=24),operated group(n=24) and silymarin treated group(n=24).Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis model was established via UUO.Silymarin was given by gavage with 30 mg/(kg?d) in silymarin treated group,and the same volume normal saline was given by gavage in operated group and sham-operated group.In each group,8 rats were killed at 7,14 and 21 d after operation.Histological changes were observed in tubulointerstitial injury under microscope.The expressions of NF-?B and ICAM-1 in renal tissue were determined with immunohistochemical method.Results Tubuloin-terstitial injury scores in operated group at 7,14 and 21 d were 1.168?0.108,1.776?0.064 and 2.301?0.157,respectively,and Tubulointerstitial injury scores in the treated group at 7,14 and 21 d were 1.043?0.114,1.677?0.083 and 2.084?0.201,respectively.Tubulointerstitial injury scores in silymarin treated group were significantly lower than those in operated group(Pa