Nephro Protective Effects Of Beta Sitosterol In High Fat Diet-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy In Experimental Rats

Abstract

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes and is frequently associated with death in diabetic patients globally.β-sitosterol is a naturally occurring plant sterol found in rice, wheat bran, cereal grains, and a range of fruits and vegetables. Our previous studies have shown that β-sitosterol significantly improved glycaemic control in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue by facilitating insulin metabolic signalling and by altering pro-inflammatory signalling molecules but renal-protective effects of β-sitosterolhas not been identified.Aim: The present study was aimed to analyse whether β-sitosterol can control diabetic nephropathy.  Methods:Adult male albino rats weredivided into four groups. Group-1: control; Group 2; high fat diet-induced type-2 diabetic rats; Group 3: Diabetic rats treated with β-sitosterol (20mg/kg b.wt, orally for 30 days) and Group-4: Type-2 diabetic rats treated with metformin (50mg/kg.b.wt, orally for 30 days).Insulin, liver and kidney function makers were analysed in serum and antioxidant enzymes were measured using kidney tissue. Results:β-sitosteroltreatment to type-2 diabetic rats significantly reduced (p<0.05) liver (ALP, ALT and AST) and kidney function (urea, creatinine) and kidney injury molecule (KIM). It also declined hyperglycaemia, hyper insulinemia and dyslipidaemia compared to control with concomitant increase in tissue antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion:Our present findings for the first time show that β-sitosterol attenuates diabetic nephropathy by controlling biochemical profiles recorded in this study. Therefore, β-sitosterol could be considered as a therapeutic drug candidate for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy and associated complications.