Inability of Legumes to Reverse Diabetic-Induced Nephropathy in Rats Despite Improvement in Blood Glucose and Antioxidant Status

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus has assumed epidemic proportions in most parts of the world, including developing countries, with vascular and renal complications being the major causes of death. Evidence is emerging that legumes play a beneficial role in diabetes and its associated complications. In connection with the above, four groups of alloxan-induced diabetic rats were fed on four different legume-based (Vigna unguiculata ssp. dekindtiana var. dekindtiana, V. unguiculata ssp. unguiculata, Sphenostylis stenocarpa, and Vigna subterranean) diets. Feeding rats with these diets for 5 weeks resulted in reduction of plasma glucose and changes in biomarkers of oxidative stress-namely, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (PER), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). None of the legumes reversed the increase in plasma total protein associated with diabetes. The legumes increased PER activity and decreased the level of TBARS in the erythrocytes. A decrease in the activities of PER and SOD was observed in the kidneys of the diabetic rats. Nitric oxide (NO) production in the erythrocytes of the diabetic rats (as an index of diabetic endothelial dysfunction) increased for all the legumes in the following order: V. unguiculata ssp. unguiculata, V. unguiculata ssp. dekindtiana var. dekindtiana, V. subterranean, and S. stenocarpa. There was a significant increase (P < .05) in the uric acid concentration in the kidneys of treated rats. It is concluded that while the legumes have beneficial effects on reduction of hyperglycemia and strengthening the antioxidant status of the diabetic animals, the increased kidney uric acid concentration should be of concern.

Persistence of acidosis in alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with the juice of Asystasia gangetica leaves

“…This indirect biomarker of oxidative stress has been reported to be consistently high in diabetes. [4] The findings of this study show that A. gangetica juice as much as glibenclamide reversed the hyperglycemia-induced lipid peroxidation.…”

“…[422] In Lee et al .’s[22] study, phytic acid was reported to reverse the diabetic-induced wasting. Hence, phytic acid, which is found in very high concentration in vegetables, may be responsible for the hypoglycemic effect of A. gangetica juice.…”

“…Therefore, a holistic therapy for diabetes should go beyond reversing hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia associated with diabetes. [4]…”

Effects of ethyl acetate leaf extracts of <i>Vitex simplicifolia</i> on antioxidant vitamins, sod, liver glycogen content and lipid profile in alloxan induced - diabetic wistar rats

“…The prevalence of diabetes is on the increase globally and in African communities due to the ageing of the population and drastic lifestyle changes accompanying urbanization and westernization (Sobngwi et al, 2001). Also, studies from five West African communities in Nigeria and Ghana have identified genes within populations that create susceptibility to diabetes (Rotimi et al, 2010).…”

“…Hence, it represents a growing burden on health care systems of African countries, most of which already face difficult economic conditions. The disease remains incurable and can only be controlled with drugs; hence, a scrupulous control is needed to help reduce hyperglycaemia and the risk of long-term complications, which are known to be the major causes of morbidity and mortality (Rotimi et al, 2010). Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in cellular injury from hyperglycemia.…”