Curcumin attenuates high glucose-induced apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells by enhancing the Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 antioxidant pathway

Figure 3 Curcumin attenuates oxidative stress in renal tubular epithelial cells through activation of the Nrf2 pathway. A and B: Flow cytometry analysis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in renal tubular epithelial cells. Compared with the control group, ROS levels increased in the high-glucose group (^aP < 0.05); curcumin treatment significantly reduced ROS (^aP < 0.05); C-F: Immunohistochemistry of renal tissues showed increased expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and decreased Keap1 in the streptozocin group (^aP < 0.05); curcumin further elevated Nrf2/HO-1 and reduced Keap1 expression (^aP < 0.05); G-I: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of Nrf2, HO-1, and Keap1 mRNA in renal tubular epithelial cells. High glucose upregulated Nrf2 and HO-1 and downregulated Keap1 mRNA (^aP < 0.05); curcumin treatment further enhanced Nrf2/HO-1 and suppressed Keap1 expression (^aP < 0.05). STZ: Streptozocin.