Korean Diabetes Journal  2008;32(1):10-20

doi:10.4093/kdj.2008.32.1.10

Protective Effects of Lithospermic Acid B on Diabetic Nephropathy in OLETF Rats Comparing with Amlodipine and Losartan.

Eun Seok KANG 1 ; Beom Seok KIM ; Chul Hoon KIM ; Gi Ho SEO ; Seung Jin HAN ; Sung Wan CHUN ; Kyu Yeon HUR ; Chul Woo AHN ; Hunjoo HA ; Mankil JUNG ; Bong Soo CHA ; Hyun Chul LEE

Affiliations

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Keywords

Lithospermic acid B; Amlodipine; Losartan; OLETF rats; Diabetic nephropathy

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

MeSH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lithospermic acid B (LAB), an active component isolated from Salvia miltiorrhizae, has been reported to have renoprotective effects in type 1 and type 2 diabetic animal models. We examined the effects of LAB on the prevention of diabetic nephropathy compared with amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, and losartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, in Otsuka Long-Evans-Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, an animal model of type 2 diabetes. METHODS: LAB (20 mg/kg), amlodipine (10 mg/kg), or losartan (10 mg/kg) was given orally once daily to 10-week-old male OLETF rats for 28 weeks. RESULTS: None of LAB, losartan, and amlodipine exhibited effects on blood glucose levels. Treatment with amlodipine or losartan resulted in similar reductions in blood pressure; however, LAB was less effective in lowering blood pressure. Albuminuria was markedly suppressed by losartan and LAB, but not by amlodipine. LAB treatment decreased levels of renal lipid peroxidation, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that LAB has beneficial effects on the diabetic nephropathy in OLETF rats by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation as potent as losartan.