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L-Lysine Ameliorates Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Mellitus
Faezeh Jozi1, Nejat Kheiripour2, Maryam Akhavan Taheri3
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
Introduction:
Diabetic nephropathy is one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia and subsequent production of glycation end-products activate the paths which lead to diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of L-lysine on antioxidant capacity, biochemical factors, kidney function, HSP70 level, and the expression of the TGFβ, VEGF, and RAGE genes in rats with streptozocin-induced diabetes mellitus.
Methods:
Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to four eight-rat groups, namely, a healthy group, a diabetic group treated with vehicle (DM + vehicle), a diabetic group treated with L-lysine (DM + Lys), and a healthy group treated with L-lysine (healthy + Lys). Rats in the DM + Lys and the healthy + Lys groups were treated with L-lysine 0.15%. The levels of fasting blood glucose, insulin, HbA1C, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), lipid profile, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, glomerular filtration rate, urine microalbumin, oxidative stress parameters, kidney histology and morphology, and TGFβ, VEGF, and RAGE gene expressions were assessed. Findings. An eight-week treatment with L-lysine significantly reduced the levels of fasting blood glucose, AGEs, kidney function parameters, oxidative stress parameters, lipid profile, and the TGFβ, VEGF, and RAGE gene expression and significantly increased the levels of serum insulin and tissue HSP70.
Conclusion:
Treatment with L-lysine seems to slow down the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
Insights
L-lysine supplementation may slow diabetic nephropathy progression by improving blood glucose, reducing advanced glycation end-products, and enhancing antioxidant capacity in diabetic rats.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Diabetic nephropathy is a major cause of end-stage renal disease globally.
- Uncontrolled hyperglycemia and glycation end-products drive diabetic nephropathy pathogenesis.
- L-lysine's potential renoprotective effects warrant investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate L-lysine's impact on antioxidant capacity, kidney function, and gene expression in diabetic rats.
- To assess L-lysine's effects on biochemical markers and histology in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: healthy, diabetic+vehicle, diabetic+L-lysine, and healthy+L-lysine.
- L-lysine (0.15%) was administered to relevant groups for eight weeks.
- Key parameters measured included blood glucose, insulin, HbA1C, AGEs, lipid profile, kidney function markers, oxidative stress, HSP70, and gene expression (TGFβ, VEGF, RAGE).
Main Results:
- L-lysine treatment significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, AGEs, kidney dysfunction markers, and oxidative stress.
- Lipid profiles and gene expression of TGFβ, VEGF, and RAGE were significantly decreased by L-lysine.
- Serum insulin and tissue HSP70 levels were significantly elevated following L-lysine administration.
Conclusions:
- L-lysine supplementation demonstrates potential in mitigating diabetic nephropathy progression.
- L-lysine may offer therapeutic benefits by improving metabolic control and reducing key pathological pathways in diabetic nephropathy.
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