Curcumin exhibits several therapeutic properties. Potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7)-induced nephropathy is associated with oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species production affects renal oxygenation that may participate in the progression of renal damage. The aim of the present work was to elucidate whether K2Cr2O7-induced nephropathy is associated to partial O2 pressure (pO2) impairment and if curcumin is able to prevent it. Four groups of rats were studied: control group; K2Cr2O7 group (12.5 mg/kg, s.c.); curcumin + K2Cr2O7 group, in which animals were treated with curcumin (400 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 10 days before K2Cr2O7 injection; and curcumin group. All animals were sacrificed 48 h after the end of the treatments. K2Cr2O7 administration increased renal function markers and decreased glomerular filtration rate, pO2 and renal perfusion. Concerning hemodynamic parameters, K2Cr2O7 increased mean arterial pressure and renal vascular resistance and reduced renal blood flow. The hemodynamic changes were attributed to decreased availability of nitric oxide and increased 3-nitrotyrosine levels. Moreover, increased superoxide anion production and vascular endothelial growth factor levels were observed after K2Cr2O7 administration. Curcumin attenuated all the above-described alterations. Our results suggest that the protective effects of curcumin in K2Cr2O7-induced nephropathy are associated with its ability to prevent O2 supply reduction.
Keywords: Curcumin; Hypoxia; Nephrotoxicity; Nitric oxide; Partial oxygen pressure; Renal blood flow.
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