Search

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes and is frequently associated with death in diabetic patients globally.ß-sitosterol is a naturally occurring plant sterol found in rice, wheat bran, cereal grains, and a range of fruits and vegetables. Our previous studies have shown that ß-sitosterol significantly improved glycaemic control in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue by facilitating insulin metabolic signalling and by altering pro-inflammatory signalling molecules but renal-protective effects of ß-sitosterolhas not been identified. Aim: The present study was aimed to analyse whether ß-sitosterol can control diabetic nephropathy. Methods:Adult male albino rats weredivided into four groups. Group-1: control; Group 2; high fat diet-induced type-2 diabetic rats; Group 3: Diabetic rats treated with ß-sitosterol (20mg/kg b.wt, orally for 30 days) and Group-4: Type-2 diabetic rats treated with metformin (50mg/kg.b.wt, orally for 30 days). Insulin, liver and kidney function makers were analysed in serum and antioxidant enzymes were measured using kidney tissue. Results:ß-sitosteroltreatment to type-2 diabetic rats significantly reduced (p<0.05) liver (ALP, ALT and AST) and kidney function (urea, creatinine) and kidney injury molecule (KIM). It also declined hyperglycaemia, hyper insulinemia and dyslipidaemia compared to control with concomitant increase in tissue antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion:Our present findings for the first time show that ß-sitosterol attenuates diabetic nephropathy by controlling biochemical profiles recorded in this study. Therefore, ß-sitosterol could be considered as a therapeutic drug candidate for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy and associated complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of most abundant antioxidative component of vegetable oil and other plants, ß-sitosterol (SIT), is a highly effective antidiabetic drug. Our previous studies have shown that ß-sitosterol significantly improved glycaemic control in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue by facilitating insulin metabolic signalling molecules but its effects on the kidney is not known. Aim: The current study sought to determine whether SIT could also exert anti-diabetic effects by regulating insulin signalling and preventing inflammation the kidney, which is a major contributor to insulin resistance and diabetic nephropathy. To achieve this, adult male albino rats weredivided in to four groups. Group-1: control; Group 2; high fat diet-induced type-2 diabetic rats; Group 3: Diabetic rats treated with ß-sitosterol (20mg/kg b. wt, orally for 30 days) and group-4: Type-2 diabetic rats treated with metformin (50mg/kg.b. wt, orally for 30 days). Methods: Insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2), Akt and interleukin -6 (IL-6), and kidney injury molecules mRNA (KIM-1) were analysed by Real Time-PCR analysis using gene specific primers. Results: mRNA expression of insulin signalling molecules (IR/IRS-1/Akt) were significantly improved in diabetic animals treated with 20mg dose of ß-sitosterol (p<0.05). Conversely, it reduced the mRNA levels of pro inflammatory signalling (IL-6) and gene involved in tissue remodelling (KIM-1) effectively (p<0.05). Conclusion:Our present findings for the first time clearly indicate that ß-sitosterol attenuates insulin resistance in the kidney by modulating the expression of proinflamamtion and KIM-1. Therefore, ß-sitosterol could be considered as a potential therapeutic natural drug candidate for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy and associated complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]