The Effect of Bee Venom on Animal Model of Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction

Abstract

Progressive renal fibrosis is the final common pathway for kidney diseases leading to chronic renal failure. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is known to be the critical mechanisms of the development and aggravation of chronic kidney injury. In this study, we examined the therapeutic effects of bee venom (BV) on the progression of renal fibrosis using the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model. UUO group increased the expression of fibrosis-related genes including FSP-1, PAI-1 and Vimentin, whereas these expressions were significantly decreased by BV treatment. The number of cells positive for ILK was increased in UUO mice, but decreased by BV treatment. In addition, β-catenin, and Snail1 expression was increased in UUO mice, while this effect was significantly decreased with BV treatment. The UUO operation significantly induced expression of Vimentin, and inhibited expression of E-cadherin compared to normal kidney. However, BV treatment markedly decreases Vimentin expression, and increases E-cadherin expression. In summary, these findings suggest that BV attenuate renal fibrosis and reduce EMT responses by suppression of pro-fibrotic genes, and EMT-related genes.