Crocin ameliorates oxidative stress and suppresses renal damage in streptozotocin induced diabetic male rats

KAPUCU A.

BIOTECHNIC & HISTOCHEMISTRY, vol.96, no.2, pp.153-160, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 96 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/10520295.2020.1808702
  • Journal Name: BIOTECHNIC & HISTOCHEMISTRY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.153-160
  • Keywords: Crocin, diabetes, kidney, MMP-7, phosphatase and tensin homolog, PTEN, rats, renal damage, DOWN-REGULATION, ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES, TUMOR-SUPPRESSOR, NEPHROPATHY, KIDNEY, AKT, PATHOGENESIS, PROGRESSION, EXPRESSION, KINASE
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder with complications including nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy and peripheral vascular disease. Crocin is a water soluble carotenoid that exhibits strong antioxidant activity. I investigated the potential hypoglycemic and reno-protective effects of crocin for type 1 diabetic male rats using periodic acid-Schiff and hematoxylin staining; metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and phospho-Akt (p-Akt) immunohistochemistry; measurement of blood glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant and total oxidant status; and oxidative stress index. I used four groups of rats: control (saline treated), diabetic (single dose of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin), crocin (treated with 50 mg/kg) and diabetic + crocin. Crocin decreased levels of MDA, SOD, oxidative stress index and glucose significantly in diabetic animals. Renal damage from DM also was decreased by crocin treatment. MMP-7 and p-Akt immunoreactivity were stronger in the diabetic group compared to other groups, but PTEN immunoreactivity was weaker. Crocin treatment returned MMP-7 and PTEN expression to near normal. The ameliorative effect of crocin is attributed to its stimulation of the antioxidant defense system and its ability to regulate the MMP-7/PTEN/Akt signaling cascade.