Cupuaçu extract protects the kidneys of diabetic rats by modulating Nrf2/NF-κB p65 and iNOS.

Diabetes is characterized by increased levels of oxidative stress. Its suggested that extract of cupuaçu could improve the antioxidant system in diabetes. The aim was to evaluate the effect of EC on Nrf2/NF-κB p65 in normal and diabetic rats.

P2X7 receptor-nitric oxide interaction mediates apoptosis in mouse immortalized mesangial cells exposed to high glucose.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia that leads to diabetic nephropathy (DN). We showed that P2X7, a purinergic receptor, was highly expressed in DM; however, when oxidative stress was controlled, renal NO recovered, and the activation of this receptor remained significantly reduced. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of NO on the P2X7 and apoptosis in mouse immortalized mesangial cells (MiMC) cultured in high glucose (HG) medium.

N-acetylcysteine protects against diabetic nephropathy through control of oxidative and nitrosative stress by recovery of nitric oxide in rats.

The diabetes mellitus (DM) induces several changes, with substantial increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS cause damage to systemic and renal microvasculature, which could be one of the mechanisms involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The ROS modulate other substances like the nitric oxide (NO), a vasodilator with important role in the renal function.

Cupuaçu extract reduces nitrosative stress and modulates inflammatory mediators in the kidneys of experimental diabetes.

Background & Aims: We have previously reported an increased nitrosative stress in the kidneys of diabetic animals, which was reduced by an antioxidant probiotic. The present study evaluated whether the extract of cupuaçu (EC), an antioxidant compound rich in polyphenols and theograndins, when administered at a dose that can be reasonably obtained through daily consumption, could delay the onset of diabetic complications in the kidney.

Methods: Mouse immortalized mesangial cells (MiMC) were placed in medium normal glucose (NG) or high glucose (HG), with or without EC (500, 100, 50 or 10 μg/mL) during 24, 48 or 72 h for analysis of viability, proliferation, nitric oxide (NO) levels and reactive oxygen species or nitrogen (ROS/RNS).