Protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide 4 on kidneys in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
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Rui Zhao1, Qing-wang Li, Jian Li
1Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang August First Land Reclamation University, Daqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, 163319, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has been shown to have hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties, although its mode of action is yet unknown. Because oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, we evaluated the protective effect of LBP-4, the major active component of Lycium barbarum, on the defensive antioxidative mechanism in kidneys in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Moreover, we investigated the effects of LBP-4 on the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in isolated mesangial cells. The role of protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent and -independent pathways in LBP-4-reduced ERK1/2 was studied by bisindolylmaleimide (BIM) IV, an inhibitor of PKC. Diabetic rats treated with LBP-4 (10 mg/kg) for 8 weeks showed increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and increased scavenging of oxygen radicals, while the activity of PKC in the renal cortex was maintained at a physiological level. The decreased activation of ERK1/2 in mesangial cells, through the involvement of PKC, could explain the protective mechanism in kidneys of diabetic rats treated with LBP-4.
Insights
Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-4 (LBP-4) protects diabetic rat kidneys by enhancing antioxidant defenses and modulating ERK1/2 signaling. This study reveals LBP-4
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Diabetology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Oxidative stress contributes to diabetic nephropathy pathogenesis.
- Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) exhibits hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties.
- The specific mechanisms of LBP's protective effects remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the protective effect of LBP-4 on kidney antioxidant mechanisms in diabetic rats.
- To investigate LBP-4's impact on extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) activation in mesangial cells.
- To elucidate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in LBP-4's effects on ERK1/2.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model.
- Administered LBP-4 (10 mg/kg) for 8 weeks.
- Assessed antioxidant enzyme activity and oxygen radical scavenging capacity.
- Examined ERK1/2 activation in isolated mesangial cells.
- Investigated PKC involvement using bisindolylmaleimide IV (BIM IV).
Main Results:
- LBP-4 treatment increased antioxidant enzyme activity and oxygen radical scavenging in diabetic rat kidneys.
- PKC activity in the renal cortex was maintained at physiological levels.
- LBP-4 decreased ERK1/2 activation in mesangial cells, involving PKC-dependent pathways.
- This modulation of ERK1/2 signaling is linked to the protective mechanism.
Conclusions:
- LBP-4 demonstrates a protective effect on kidneys in a diabetic rat model.
- The mechanism involves enhancing antioxidant capacity and modulating PKC-dependent ERK1/2 signaling.
- LBP-4 represents a potential therapeutic agent for diabetic nephropathy.
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