This study explored the potential value of curcumin, a natural product, in the protection of CsA‑induced nephrotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of curcumin on Cyclosporine A (CsA)‑induced renal oxidative stress and determine the potential underlying molecular mechanisms of the renal protective effects of Cur. HK‑2 human renal cells were co‑treated with CsA and various doses of Cur. Cell survival rate was determined by an MTT assay, total cellular protein was collected and oxidative stress in cell homogenates was evaluated by determining the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‑Px) and catalase (CAT), the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, Bcl‑2 and Bcl‑2‑associated X (Bax) protein expression was measured by western blot analysis. In addition, a CsA‑induced nephrotoxicity (CAN) rat model was also established. Renal function was analyzed by measuring creatinine (Crea) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in the serum of rats, and histopathological examination was performed on renal tissues using hematoxylin and eosin staining, periodic acid‑Schiff staining and nuclear factor‑κB (NF‑κB) immunostaining. The results demonstrated that treatment of HK‑2 cells with CsA significantly increased ROS and MDA levels, and decreased the activities of SOD, GSH‑Px and CAT, compared with the control group. However, these effects of CsA were dose‑dependently improved by treatment with Cur. In addition, Cur treatment increased Bcl‑2 and decreased Bax protein in HK‑2 cells, compared with cells treated with CsA alone. In the CAN rat model CsA (30 mg/kg) treatment significantly elevated serum Crea levels and BUN, but lowered endogenous Crea clearance rate, compared with the control group. Co‑administration of Cur with CsA significantly reversed the effects of CsA on serum Crea levels, BUN and Crea clearance rate (Ccr). Additionally, Cur alleviated CsA‑induced renal cell injury, as less vacuolar degeneration of glomerular cells was observed compared with the CsA alone group. In conclusion, Cur may increase renal antioxidant capacity and reduce the Bax/Bcl‑2 ratio, subsequently improving CsA‑induced renal failure and renal tubular deformation and cell vacuolization.

Purpose: To explore the role and mechanism of curcumin (Cur) in reducing oxidative stress damage in rats with nephrolithiasis induced by ethylene glycol (EG). Methods: Thirty male rats were divided into normal control, model, positive (10% potassium citrate), Cur-10 (10 mg/kg curcumin) and Cur-20 (20 mg/kg curcumin) groups. Results: The results of kidney tissue section stained by hematoxylin-eosin and von Kossa showed that curcumin treatment can inhibit the formation of kidney stones. The biochemical test results showed that the urea (Ur), creatinine (Cr), uric acid (UA), inorganic phosphorus and Ca 2+ concentrations in urine decreased after being treated with curcumin. There were significant differences between different doses of curcumin (P < 0.05). Compared with the Cur-10 group, Cur-20 had a more significant inhibitory effect on malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.05). In addition, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection and immunohistochemical results indicated that the osteopontin (OPN) in the kidney was significantly reduced after curcumin treatment. Conclusions: Curcumin could reduce the oxidative stress damage caused by EG-induced kidney stones.