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Isoflavone Protects the Renal Tissue of Diabetic Ovariectomized Rats via PPARγ
Adriana Aparecida Ferraz Carbonel1,2, Rafael André da Silva3, Luiz Philipe de Souza Ferreira1
1Structural and Functional Biology Graduate Program, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (EPM/UNIFESP), 740 Edifício Lemos Torres-2° andar, Vila Clementino, São Paulo 04023-900, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
Diabetes associated with post-menopause is related to a worse condition of kidney disease. Taking into consideration that this disorder may be regulated by estrogenic mediators, we evaluated the renal protective effect of isoflavone. We investigated the role of the PPARγ in the pathogenesis of the disease. For this study, we used diabetic female rats in a postmenopausal model through ovariectomy. The animals were treated with isoflavone or 17β-estradiol. A dosage was administered to bring on blood glycemia, and through immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the immunoreactivity of PPARγ in the endometrium and renal tissue. We analyzed the immunoreactivity of renal injury molecule KIM-1 and the collagen and glycogen densities in the kidney. Through bioinformatics analysis, we observed PPARγ and COL1A1 gene expression under the influence of different glucose doses. In particular, we observed that isoflavone and 17β-estradiol regulate blood glycemia. Renal injury was inhibited by isoflavone, observed by a reduction in KIM-1, along with glycogen accumulation. These benefits of isoflavone may be associated with PPARγ overexpression in the kidneys and endometrium of diabetic ovariectomized rats.
Insights
Isoflavone protects against kidney disease in postmenopausal diabetic rats by regulating blood sugar and reducing kidney injury markers. These effects may involve PPARγ overexpression, offering potential therapeutic benefits.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nephrology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Postmenopausal diabetes exacerbates kidney disease, potentially mediated by estrogenic factors.
- Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is implicated in disease pathogenesis.
- Isoflavones are investigated for their potential estrogenic and renoprotective effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the renal protective effects of isoflavone in a postmenopausal diabetic rat model.
- To investigate the role of PPARγ in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease.
- To assess the impact of isoflavone and 17β-estradiol on blood glucose and kidney injury markers.
Main Methods:
- Diabetic female rats underwent ovariectomy to establish a postmenopausal model.
- Animals were treated with isoflavone or 17β-estradiol.
- Immunohistochemistry assessed PPARγ, KIM-1, collagen, and glycogen in renal and endometrial tissues.
- Bioinformatics analysis examined PPARγ and COL1A1 gene expression under varying glucose conditions.
Main Results:
- Both isoflavone and 17β-estradiol effectively regulated blood glucose levels.
- Isoflavone treatment inhibited renal injury, evidenced by reduced KIM-1 expression and glycogen accumulation.
- Isoflavone treatment was associated with PPARγ overexpression in the kidneys and endometrium.
Conclusions:
- Isoflavone demonstrates significant renoprotective effects in postmenopausal diabetic rats.
- The benefits of isoflavone may be linked to its ability to modulate PPARγ expression.
- Isoflavone represents a potential therapeutic agent for managing diabetic kidney disease in postmenopausal women.

