Oligonol® May Protect Kidneys in Diabetics

TOYAMA, JapanOligonol® (from Maypro), derived from lychee fruit, many have renoprotective effects against abnormal lipid metabolism and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related AGE formation in type 2 diabetes, according to a recent Japanese study(Br J Nutr. 2010). Oligonol was orally administered at 10 or 20 mg/kg/d body weight for eight weeks to db/db mice with type 2 diabetes, and its effects were compared with those of the vehicle in db/db and m/m (misty, non-diabetic) mice.

There were significant reductions in the serum lipid concentration, ROS and lipid peroxidation, as well as improvements in renal function parameters. In addition, oligonol treatment significantly decreased ROS levels and lipid peroxidation in the kidney. In particular, the renal lipid contents such as TAG and total cholesterol were significantly reduced in the oligonol-administered groups through the up-regulation of PPARalpha and down-regulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 in db/db mice.

Oligonol inhibited non-fluorescent AGE formation and their receptor expression, suggesting it could effectively inhibit AGE development caused by oxidative stress and/or dyslipidaemia in the kidney of db/db mice. Furthermore, augmented expressions of NF-kappaBp65, cyclo-oxygenase-2 and inducible NO synthase were down-regulated to the levels of m/m mice in the group given oligonol at 20 mg/kg. This means oligonol would act as a regulator in the inflammatory response of type 2 diabetes.