Jamal Amri1,2, Mona Alaee3, Seyed Amirhossein Latifi3, Abbas Alimoradian4, Mehdi Salehi3. 1. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R, Iran. 2. Students' Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R, Iran. 3. Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran. 4. Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Type 1 diabetes is one of the most important causes of microvascular complications such as nephropathy. On other hand, the use of herbal medicines is more affordable and has fewer side effects. Therefore, this study was conducted to assessment the therapeutic effect of saffron in diabetic nephropathy by regulating the expression of CTGF and RAGE genes as well as oxidative stress in rats with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: In this study, we used 24 Wistar rats in four groups. To induce diabetes, we used a 55 mg/kg.bw dose of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. Type 1 diabetic rats were administered saffron (20 and 40 mg/kg/day) by gavage once daily for 42 days. Finally, serum urea, creatinine, albumin and SOD, MDA levels in kidney tissue were measured using spectrophotometric methods and CTGF and RAGE gene expression in kidney tissue was measured using real-time PCR method. RESULTS: Diabetes significantly increases serum FBG, urea, creatinine and decreases albumin (p<0.001). AS well as increased the CTGF and RAGE genes expression, MDA level and decreased the SOD activity in the kidney tissue (p<0.001). Serum urea, creatinine, albumin was significantly ameliorated by saffron (p<0.001). It was shown the saffron significantly decrease the kidney expression CTGF and RAGE genes and MDA level and increased the SOD activity (p<0.001). Also, it was found that the beneficial effects of the saffron were dose-dependent (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that saffron as an adjunct therapy may prevent development and treatment of diabetic nephropathy by regulating the expression of the CTGF and RAGE genes and oxidative stress.
OBJECTIVES: Type 1 diabetes is one of the most important causes of microvascular complications such as nephropathy. On other hand, the use of herbal medicines is more affordable and has fewer side effects. Therefore, this study was conducted to assessment the therapeutic effect of saffron in diabetic nephropathy by regulating the expression of CTGF and RAGE genes as well as oxidative stress in rats with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: In this study, we used 24 Wistar rats in four groups. To induce diabetes, we used a 55 mg/kg.bw dose of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. Type 1 diabetic rats were administered saffron (20 and 40 mg/kg/day) by gavage once daily for 42 days. Finally, serum urea, creatinine, albumin and SOD, MDA levels in kidney tissue were measured using spectrophotometric methods and CTGF and RAGE gene expression in kidney tissue was measured using real-time PCR method. RESULTS: Diabetes significantly increases serum FBG, urea, creatinine and decreases albumin (p<0.001). AS well as increased the CTGF and RAGE genes expression, MDA level and decreased the SOD activity in the kidney tissue (p<0.001). Serum urea, creatinine, albumin was significantly ameliorated by saffron (p<0.001). It was shown the saffron significantly decrease the kidney expression CTGF and RAGE genes and MDA level and increased the SOD activity (p<0.001). Also, it was found that the beneficial effects of the saffron were dose-dependent (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that saffron as an adjunct therapy may prevent development and treatment of diabetic nephropathy by regulating the expression of the CTGF and RAGE genes and oxidative stress.