Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of Urantide on renal expression of signal transduction and transcription activator 3 (STAT3) in atherosclerotic (AS) rats. Methods The rat model of AS was established by an intraperitoneal injection of vitamin D3 (Vit D3) plus high fat diet. Rats were randomly divided into normal group, AS group, Simvastatin group and Urantide group. HE staining was performed to observe the glomerular structure and morphological changes of kidney. Serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and expression levels of STAT3 and p-STAT3 protein in renal tissue were measured. Results HE staining showed the tubular interstitial edema, partial glomerular atrophy, adhesion of the glomerular cyst wall to the surrounding tissue in AS group. Expression of serum BUN, STAT3 and p-STAT3 in rat kidneys were enhanced in AS group compared with those in normal control group (P?0.05).?Simvastatin?group?showed?significant?improvement?in?morphological?damage?of?kidney,?decreased?levels of serum BUN (P < 0.05) while increased expression of STAT3 and p-STAT3 when compared with those in AS group (P?0.05).?Rats?in?Urantide?group?experienced?significant?improvement?in?morphological?damage?of?kidney, decreased levels of serum BUN, STAT3 and p-STAT3 compared with those in AS group (P < 0.05). Conclusions Urantide alleviates the acute kidney injury and improves the function of glomeruli by regulating the expression of STAT3.