NLPR3 inflammasome was activated and levels of phosphorylated nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 subunit, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) and interleukin (IL)-4 protein in kidneys were increased in the kidney after UUO.
An in vivo study revealed that petA protected against renal inflammation and fibrosis by reducing the infiltration of macrophages, inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α) and reducing extracellular matrix deposition (α-smooth muscle actin, collagen I and fibronectin) in the obstructed kidney of UUO mice; these changes were associated with suppression of Smad3 and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation.