Melittin Ameliorates Endotoxin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Inhibiting Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Cell Death in Mice

Figure 1

Effects of melittin on renal function and structure in LPS-injected mice. Melittin (Mel; 0.01 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to mice 1 hour prior to LPS treatment (10 mg/kg). Mice in control group were subjected to an intraperitoneal injection of vehicle (saline). (a) Plasma creatinine levels. (b) Plasma BUN levels. (c) Tubular injury score. (d) H&E and PAS staining of kidney tissues from the indicated group. Blue arrows indicate tubular dilatation. Red arrows indicate swelling of renal tubular epithelial cells. Scale bars: 50 μm. (e) Immunofluorescent staining with fluorescein-conjugated LTL of kidney tissues. Scale bars: 50 μm. (f) Average percentage of positive staining for LTL per field. per each group. compared with the vehicle-injected group (Veh). ^## or ^### compared with the LPS-injected group (LPS).

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)