Abstract: In this paper,the effects of curcumin on the protein of Nrf2 signaling pathway and extracellular matrix deposition in exercise-induced renal injury rats is studied.SPF male rats are randomly divided into control group(group C),overload group(group OL) and curcumin+overload group(group COL).Group C does not perform exercise intervention,while the other groups do 6-week treadmill training with increasing load.During training,group COL are given curcumin by gavage,and other groups are given carboxymethyl cellulose sodium.The renal morphology and ultrastructure are observed,and the relevant biochemical indicators in blood and kidney are collected to detect 24 h after training.The results show:compared with group C,the renal morphology is significantly changed in group OL,glomerular is congestion and swellen,and the mesangial area increases.The glomerular swelling and mesangial area enlargement in group COL are significantly improved.Renal ultrastructure:the vascular structure in the glomeruli of group OL is dilated,the thickness of basement membrane is uneven,and the interstitial cells are disorder and scattered.Part of glomerular endodermis are abnormal,and interstitial cells of group COL retract.The ratio of matrix/glomerular area,Cor,SCr,BUN,and TGF-β1,TNF-α,IL-1β,NF-κB in kidney:group OL significantly increase comparing with group C (P<0.01),and group COL significantly decrease comparing with group OL(P<0.05 or  P<0.01).T,T/Cor,and Nrf2,HO-1 in kidney:group OL significantly decrease comparing with group C (P<0.05 or P<0.01),and group COL significantly increase comparing with group OL(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Thus,Curcumin may regulate the protein of Nrf2 signaling pathway in overtraining rats,inhibit the activation of NF-κB pathway and secretion of inflammatory factors as TGF-β1,improve excessive deposition of glomerular ECM,and protect the normal structure/function of kidney.

Key words: Curcumin, Nrf2, NF-&kappa, B, ECM, Exercise-induced renal injury