Chronic Administration of Visfatin Ameliorated Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Abstract

Background/Aims: Visfatin is a known adipokine which may improve insulin resistance in obesity and have an anti-diabetic effect via the insulin receptor. We studied the effects of visfatin on diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic mice. Methods: Diabetic male db/db mice were treated with intraperitoneal injections of visfatin. Basal parameters were measured in all mice and glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were performed in diabetic mice. The histopathological and molecular changes were evaluated in diabetic nephropathy. Results: Visfatin treatment had no effect on body weight, water and food intake, urinary volume, blood glucose, and HbA1c level. However, visfatin improved HOMA-IR, GTT, ITT and decreased plasma insulin and visfatin level, but not adiponectin level. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride level were also improved by visfatin treatment. Significantly, visfatin decreased albuminuria in diabetic mice. Glomerulosclerotic change and mesangial expansion in the kidneys were significantly reduced. In addition, visfatin inhibited the expression of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines such as MCP-1, TGFb1, type IV collagen, and PAI-1. The enzymes related to lipid metabolism in the kidney, HMG-CoAR was suppressed by visfatin treatment, whereas FXR and ABCA1 were significantly elevated by treatment. Conclusion: Visfatin might have a protective effect in diabetic nephropathy without the hypoglycemic effect.

Irisin and Visfatin Predicts Severity of Diabetic Nephropathy

“…El Samahi et al [26] have demonstrated reduced visfatin level in diabetic patients with microalbuminuria and suggested that visfatin plays a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. A recent experimental study has shown that visfatin administration ameliorated diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic mice and concluded that visfatin has a protects against diabetic nephropathy [27]. In the present study, visfatin levels were significantly increased diabetic nephropathy cases compared to those without nephropathy.…”

“…Yilmaz et al [15] have reported a positive association of visfatin with insulin resistance and degree of albuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients. Experimental studies have shown that chronic administration of visfatin ameliorated nephropathy in experimental type 2 diabetic mice [16].…”

Combined treatment of diabetic nephropathy with alprostadil and calcium dobesilate

“…In addition, calcium dobesilate eliminates oxygen (hydroxyl) radicals and inhibits the inflammatory response ( 15 ), reducing the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, calcium dobesilate can effectively stabilize capillary endothelial cells, reduce endothelial cell rupture ( 16 ), improve lymphatic return and other functions ( 17 ), inhibit secretion and synthesis of aldose reductase ( 18 ), and decrease the levels of sorbitol ( 19 , 20 ), effectively regulating the levels of BDNF and IGF-1.…”

Adipokines and Obesity. Potential Link to Metabolic Disorders and Chronic Complications

“…However, studies on its role in the development of insulin resistance provided inconsistent results. In obese patients, increased visfatin levels, similarly to increased adiponectin levels, may play a protective role [99,100]. In a study by Kang et al, [100] on diabetic db/db mice it was shown that visfatin might have a protective effect in diabetic nephropathy without the hypoglycemic effect.…”