TY - JOUR AB - Oxidative stress is a recognized factor in nephrotoxicity induced by chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic (As). Grape seed extract (GSE) possesses antioxidant properties. The present study was designed to evaluate the beneficial effects of GSE against arsenic‑induced renal injury. Healthy, male Sprague‑Dawley rats were exposed to As in drinking water (30 ppm) with or without GSE (100 mg/kg) for 12 months. The serum proinflammatory cytokine levels and mRNA expression levels of fibrogenic markers in the renal tissues were evaluated using enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The protein expression levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) subunits, transforming growth factor‑β1 (TGF‑β1) and phosphorylated Smad2/3 (pSmad2/3) were assessed using western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that cotreatment with GSE significantly improved renal function, as demonstrated by the reductions in relative kidney weight (% of body weight) and blood urea nitrogen, and the increase in the creatinine clearance capacity. GSE attenuated the As‑induced changes in the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α), interleukin‑6 (IL‑6) and IL‑1β and the mRNA levels of TGF‑β1, α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and fibronectin (FN) in renal tissue. Furthermore, administration of GSE markedly reduced As‑stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and Nox activity, as well as the protein expression levels of the NADPH subunits (Nox2, p47phox and Nox4). In addition, GSE cotreatment was correlated with a significant reduction in TGF‑β/Smad signaling, as demonstrated by the decreased protein levels of TGF‑β1 and pSmad2/3 in renal tissue. This study indicated that GSE may be a useful agent for the prevention of nephrotoxicity induced by chronic exposure to As. GSE may exert its effects through the suppression of Nox and inhibition of TGF‑β/Smad signaling activation. AD - Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, P.R. China School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China AU - Zhang,Jiangong AU - Pan,Xinjuan AU - Li,Ning AU - Li,Xing AU - Wang,Yongchao AU - Liu,Xiaozhuan AU - Yin,Xinjuan AU - Yu,Zengli DA - 2014/01/01 DO - 10.3892/etm.2013.1381 EP - 266 IS - 1 JO - Exp Ther Med KW - grape seed extract chronic arsenic exposure nephrotoxicity oxidative stress NADPH oxidase TGF‑β/Smad PY - 2014 SN - 1792-0981 1792-1015 SP - 260 ST - Grape seed extract attenuates arsenic‑induced nephrotoxicity in rats T2 - Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine TI - Grape seed extract attenuates arsenic‑induced nephrotoxicity in rats UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.1381 VL - 7 ER -