Daidzein Attenuates Kidney Damage in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the major complications of diabetes which is responsible for 40% of death among diabetes population. In persistent hyperglycaemia, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH oxidase) causes overproduction of reactive oxygen species in podocytes, endothelial cells and mesangial cells in glomeruli. It plays a key role in progression of diabetic nephropathy. Many natural products are widely been studied in management diabetic nephropathy. Daidzein is an isoflavone present in leguminous plants and has been reported for anti‐oxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic activity. Present study was designed to observe effect of daidzein in experimental model of diabetic nephropathy in rats. Streptozotocin was used for induction of diabetes in male Sprague Dawley rats at dose of 55 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. After 28 days of diabetic induction, animals were treated with daidzein at dose of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, orally for next 28 days. Biochemical parameters and urine parameters were assessed at the end of study. Kidney function parameters like glomerular filtration rate, creatinine clearance, urea clearance and oxidative stress marker in kidney tissue were evaluated. Histopathology of kidney tissue was studied using haematoxylin‐eosin staining. Diabetic animal showed significant increase in plasma biochemical parameters like creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (p<0.001). Treatment with daidzein at high dose (100 mg/kg) for 28 days showed significant reduction in elevated levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (p<0.01 and p<0.001). Reduced level of total protein and albumin in diabetic animals was also significantly increased after daidzein treatment at high dose (p<0.01 and p<0.05). Urine creatinine and urine urea were significantly improved in daidzein treated animals as compared to diabetic control animals (p<0.01 and p<0.05). Kidney function parameters like urea clearance, creatinine clearance and glomerular filtration rate were significantly (p<0.001) reduced in diabetic control animals. Treatment with diadzein for 28 days significantly improved kidney function. Loss of anti‐oxidant enzymes like glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase was prevented and generation of malondialdehyde was inhibited in kidney tissue of diabetic animals treated with daidzein. Daidzein treatment also ameliorates histological changes in diabetic rats. From results, it can be concluded that daidzein attenuates progression of diabetic nephropathy and can be a considered as effective management option for diabetic nephropathy.