PS-B04-1: ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE AND ANTI-PROTEIURIC EFFECTS OF MELINJO SEED EXTRACT IN THE RAT REMNANT KIDNEY MODEL

Abstract

Melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L.) is a fruit native to Indonesia and is considered as a healthy food. Melinjo resveratrol (MjR) is a resveratrol derivative extracted from the melinjo seed. Interestingly, recent literatures have documented that MjR exhibits the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity. Hence, we hypothesized that MjR exhibits beneficial effects in the chronic kidney disease. In order to test our hypothesis, MjR was administered in the rat remnant kidney (RK) model. Rats were divided into three groups: sham operated rats (SHAM, n = 4), untreated remnant kidney rats (RK, n = 5), RK rats treated with MjR 300 mg/kg/day (RK + MjR, n = 5). The rats were sacrificed at twelve weeks. Blood pressure and urinary protein levels significantly increased whereas creatinine clearance (CCr) significantly descread in the RK group compared to the SHAM group at twelve weeks. MjR significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (108 ± 2 vs. 147 ± 2 mmHg, p < 0.05) as measured by tail-cuff methods. Urine protein excretion was significantly ameliorated by MjR compared with that in RK (79.8 ± 54.8 vs. 269 ± 87.5 mg/day, p < 0.0015). Although Ccr was not altered in RK + MjR compared with RK rats, histological evaluation revealed that the glomerular sclerosis was attenuated in RK + MjR group. Podocytes in the RK rats showed increase in desmin, a marker of podocyte injury, which was alleviated with the administration of MjR. In conclusion, MjR reduced blood pressure, proteinuria and glomerular damage in the RK rats. These data suggest that MjR may mitigate the progression of chronic kidney disease, which needs further confirmation.