Abstract
Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a chronic kidney disease and a precursor to end-stage kidney disease. In this study, we evaluated the potential protective effects of acidic and neutral Stigma maydis polysaccharides (ASMP and NSMP, respectively) on cationized bovine serum albumin-induced MN in mice. Both polysaccharides (SMPs) provided effective protection from kidney injury by decreasing daily proteinuria, kidney dysfunction, and hyperlipidemia and minimizing structural changes and immune complex expression. Furthermore, SMPs improved intestinal barrier damage by increasing the expression of tight junction proteins in the intestinal tissue. They also maintained the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier by promoting slit diaphragm proteins expression and PI3K/AKT signaling. However, ASMP offered better protection against podocyte injury than NSMP. The use of natural polysaccharides could thus be a new protective measure against podocyte injury and perhaps be utilized for the development of functional foods to protect against MN.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
