RESUMO
PURPOSE: The transcription factor, NF-kB, is important in the coordinated expressions of various pro-inflammatory and adhesion molecules. Our hypothesis is that inhibiting the action of NF-kB using a synthetic decoy oligodeoxynucleotide(ODN) can block the underlying inflammatory response in glomerulonephritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty two male C57BL6 mice, weighting 25g, were divided into four groups; in group 1, 2 mice were used as normal controls; in group 2, a unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) was induced in 12 mice; in group 3, 20 UUO mice were treated using ring-type NK-kB decoy ODN; and in group 4, 8 UUO mice were treated using scramble type NF-kB decoy ODN. The mice were killed 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after the NF-kB decoy ODN injections, and the blood urea nitrogen(BUN), and expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-beta(IL-beta), fibronectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule(VCAM) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1), as well as the histopathological findings, analyzed in each group. RESULTS: The serum levels of BUN, TNF-alpha, IL-beta, fibronectin, VCAM and MCP-1 were increased in group 2, but decreased in group 3. The histopathological findings of the kidneys in group 3 were most similar to those found in the control(group 1). CONCLUSIONS: NF-kB decoy ODN treatment substantially inhibited the disease, with reductions in the histological damage and the renal expressions of inflammatory cytokines.