Apple polyphenols reduce inflammation response of the kidneys in unilateral ureteral obstruction rats

Abstract Renal fibrosis is the common final pathological hallmark of most progressive renal diseases. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is a well-documented hydronephrosis model which shows interstitial inflammatory-cell infiltration and tubular dilatation, followed by tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Polyphenols possess antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of apple polyphenols (AP) on the inflammatory response and subsequent fibrotic change of the kidneys in UUO rats. After completing the UUO, 0.05, 0.1, or 0.15% of AP was given to the rats for 3 weeks. The results show that AP attenuates tubular dilatation and interstitial volume in UUO rats. It decreases the expression of inflammatory markers, ED-1 and MCP-1. AP also significantly down-regulate the expression of profibrotic markers, TGF-β and α-SMA, in UUO rats. The findings show the beneficial effects of AP in UUO induced renal injury, and it is also given the alternative medical function of AP.