N-6-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-Adenosine From Cordyceps Cicadae Protects Against Diabetic Kidney Disease Via Alleviation Of Oxidative Stress And Inflammation

This study investigated the kidney-protective ability of N-6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-adenosine (HEA) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in the rats by the administration of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg, i.p) and treated with HEA for 6 weeks. Diabetic rats displayed marked increase in blood glucose, serum creatinine (Scr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), in addition to high excretion of urinary protein and albumin. Furthermore, diabetic rats showed decreased renal levels of glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as renal concentrations of pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1 beta, and TGF-beta 1). Treatment of diabetic rats with HEA (20 and 40 mg/kg) significantly increased the renal antioxidant level, reduced the levels of blood glucose, Scr, BUN, urinary protein, albumin, and pro-inflammatory mediators in a dose-dependent fashion. Histological evaluation of the kidney of diabetic rats indicated that HEA also ameliorated glomerular and tubular changes.