Beneficial effects of phlorizin on diabetic nephropathy in diabetic db/db mice

Abstract

Aims: This study observes the effects of phlorizin on diabetic nephrology in db/db diabetic mice and explores possible underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Sixteen diabetic db/db mice and eight age-matched db/m mice were divided into three groups: vehicle-treated diabetic group (DM group), diabetic group treated with phlorizin (DMT group) and normal control group (CC group). Phlorizin was given in normal saline solution by intragastric administration for 10 weeks. Differentially expressed proteins in three groups were identified using iTRAQ quantitative proteomics and the data were further analyzed with ingenuity pathway analysis.

Results: The body weight and serum concentrations of fasting blood glucose (FBG), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and 24-h urine albumin were increased in the DM group compared to those of the CC group (P<0.05), and they were decreased by treatment with phlorizin (P<0.05). Morphologic observations showed phlorizin markedly attenuated renal injury. Phlorizin prevented diabetic nephropathy by regulating the expression of a series of proteins involved in renal and urological disease, molecular transport, free radical scavenging, and lipid metabolism.

Conclusions: Phlorizin protects mice from diabetic nephrology and thus may be a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetic nephrology.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic nephropathy; Oxidative stress; Phlorizin; db/db mice.