The effect of monomeric and oligomeric FLAVAnols in patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria (FLAVA-trial): A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Microalbuminuria is an early sign of vascular complications of type 2 diabetes and predicts cardiovascular disease and mortality. Monomeric and oligomeric flavanols (MOFs) are linked to improved vascular health. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 3 months MOFs on albuminuria and endothelial function markers in patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial among patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria. Patients with type 2 diabetes received either 200 mg MOFs or placebo daily on top of their habitual diet and medication. The primary endpoint was the between-group difference of the change in 24-h Albumin Excretion Rate (AER) over three months. Secondary endpoints were the between-group differences of the change in plasma levels of different markers of endothelial dysfunction. Mixed-modelling was applied for the longitudinal analyses. RESULTS: Participants (n = 97) were 63.0 ± 9.5 years old; diabetes-duration was 15.7 ± 8.5 years. Median baseline AER was 60 (IQR 20-120) mg/24 h. There was no within-group difference in median change of AER from baseline to 3 months in the intervention (0 (-35-21) mg/24 h, p = 0.41) or the control group (0 (-20-10) mg/24 h, p = 0.91). There was no between-group difference in the course of AER over three months (log-transformed data: ß = -0.02 (95%CI -0.23-0.20), p = 0.88), nor in the plasma levels of the endothelial dysfunction markers. CONCLUSION: Daily 200 mg MOFs for three months on top of habitual diet and usual care did not reduce AER and plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction compared to placebo, in patients with long-term type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NTR4669, www.trialregister.nl.

Effect of Oral carnosine supplementation on urinary TGF-ß in diabetic nephropathy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Activation of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) pathway is a significant contributor to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Carnosine is a dipeptide that can inhibit TGF-ß synthesis. We tested the hypothesis that carnosine supplement added to standard therapy will result in reduced urinary TGF-ß levels among patients with diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: We randomly assigned 40 patients with diabetic nephropathy and albuminuria 30-299 mg/day to treatment with carnosine (2 g/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Urinary TGF-ß level was determined using ELISA, urine albumin was ascertained by immunonephelometric assay, and renal function and metabolic profiles were determined at baseline and during 12 weeks of active treatment. Primary outcome was decrease in urinary levels of TGF-ß. RESULTS: The 2 groups were comparable for baseline characteristics, blood pressure, urine albumin, urine TGF-ß and renal function measurements. Urinary TGF-ß significantly decreased with carnosine supplement (- 17.8% of the baseline values), whereas it tended to increase with placebo (+ 16.9% of the baseline values) (between-group difference P < 0.05). However, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate and other biochemical parameters remained unchanged during the study period including urinary albuminuria. Both groups were well tolerated with no serious side-effects. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicated an additional renoprotective effect of oral supplementation with carnosine to decrease urinary TGF-ß level that serves as a marker of renal injury in diabetic nephropathy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trials, TCTR20200724002 . Retrospectively Registered 24 July 2020.

Low-protein diet supplemented with ketoacids delays the progression of diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting oxidative stress in the KKAy mice model.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major cause of chronic kidney disease. We aimed to investigate the effect of the low-protein diets (LPD) supplemented with ketoacids (LPD+KA) in KKAy mice, an early type 2 DN model. KKAy mice were treated with normal protein diet (NPD), LPD or LPD+KA from 12 to 24 weeks of age. A period of 12-week treatment with LPD significantly reduced albuminuria as compared with that observed after NPD treatment. Treatment with LPD+KA further reduced albuminuria as compared with that observed with LPD treatment alone. Moreover, LPD treatment reduced mesangial expansion, thickness of glomerular basement membrane and the severity of the podocyte foot process effacement in KKAy mice; these effects were more pronounced in KKAy mice treated with LPD+KA. Both LPD and LPD+KA treatments slightly reduced total body weight, but had no significant effect on kidney weight and blood glucose concentrations when compared with NPD-treated KKAy mice. LPD treatment slightly attenuated oxidative stress in kidneys as compared with that observed in NPD-treated KKAy mice; however, LPD+KA treatment remarkably ameliorated oxidative stress in diabetic kidneys as shown by decreased malondialdehyde concentrations, protein carbonylation, nitrotyrosine expression and increased superoxide dismutase expression. Nutritional therapy using LPD+KA confers additional renal benefits as compared with those of LPD treatment alone in early type 2 DN through inhibition of oxidative stress.

Mild systemic thermal therapy ameliorates renal dysfunction in a rodent model of chronic kidney disease.

Thermal therapy has become a nonpharmacological therapy in clinical settings, especially for cardiovascular diseases. However, the practical role of thermal therapy on chronic kidney disease remains elusive. We performed the present study to investigate whether a modified thermal protocol, repeated mild thermal stimulation (MTS), could affect renal damages in chronic kidney disease using a mouse renal ablation model. Mice were subjected to MTS or room temperature (RT) treatment once daily for 4 wk after subtotal nephrectomy (Nx) or sham operation (Sh). We revealed that MTS alleviated renal impairment as indicated by serum creatinine and albuminuria in Nx groups. In addition, the Nx + MTS group showed attenuated tubular histological changes and reduced urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin excretion approximately by half compared with the Nx + RT group. Increased apoptotic signaling, such as TUNEL-positive cell count and cleavage of caspase 3, as well as enhanced oxidative stress were significantly reduced in the Nx + MTS group compared with the Nx + RT group. These changes were accompanied with the restoration of kidney Mn-SOD levels by MTS. Heat shock protein 27, a key molecular chaperone, was phosphorylated by MTS only in Nx kidneys rather than in Sh kidneys. MTS also tended to increase the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and Akt in Nx kidneys, possibly associated with the activation of heat shock protein 27. Taken together, these results suggest that modified MTS can protect against renal injury in a rodent model of chronic kidney disease.

[Clinical controlled trial on chronic nephritis albuminuria treated with acupuncture and moxibustion at DONG's extra points, "Xiasanhuana"].

OBJECTIVE: Io compare the difference on the clinical efficacy in treatment of chronic nephritis albuminuria between acupuncture and moxibustion at "Xiasanhuang", DONG's extra points and benazepril hydrochloride so as to provide the effective therapeutic method for the treatment of chronic nephritis albuminuria. Methods One hundred and six cases of nephritis albuminuria were randomized into an acupuncture and moxibustion group and a western medication group, 53 cases in each one. In the acupuncture and moxibustion group, acupuncture and moxibustion were applied to "Xiasanhuang" (Tianhuang fuxue namely "shenguan", "Dihuang", "Renhuang"), once a day, the interval of 2 days once every 10 treatments. In the western medication group, benazepril hydrochloride was prescribed for oral administration, 5 to 10 mg each time, once a day. The treatment of 2 months made, one session in the two groups. After 1 session treatment, the clinical efficacy, red blood cell count (RBC) of urinary sediment, 24 h urine protein quantitation and creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) before and after treatment were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 84. 9% (45/53) in the acupuncture and moxibustion group, superior to 52. 8% (28/53) in the western medication group (P<0. 01). After treatment, RBC of urinary sediment and 24 h urine protein quantitation were reduced as compared with those before treatment (P< 0. 01, P<0. 05), and the results in the acupuncture and moxibustion group were lower than those in the western medication group (P<0. 05, P<0. 01). After treatment, Ccr in the acupuncture and moxibustion group was higher than that before treatment (P<0. 05) and higher than that in the western medication group (P<0. 05). Ccr was not different significantly before and after treatment in the western medication group (P>0. 05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion at DONG's extra points (Xiasanhuang) reduce proteinuria and improve kidney, function in patients of chronic nephritis and the efficacy is better than that with benazepril hydrochloride.

Association of a reduction in central obesity and phosphorus intake with changes in urinary albumin excretion: the PREMIER study.

BACKGROUND: Excess adiposity and dietary factors may be important determinants of urinary albumin excretion (UAE). STUDY DESIGN: Observational analysis of PREMIER, a randomized trial designed to lower blood pressure using behavioral interventions (counseling on weight loss, healthy diet, and exercise). SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 481 participants with normal kidney function who provided adequate 24-hour urine collections at baseline and 6 months. PREDICTORS: Change in waist circumference; 24-hour urine sodium, potassium, and phosphorus excretion; and protein intake estimated from urea nitrogen. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was change in log-transformed 24-hour UAE over 6 months. RESULTS: After 6 months, the proportion of individuals with UAE ≥10 mg/d decreased from 18.7% to 12.7% (P < 0.001). Changes in mean waist circumference (-4.2 ± 6.6 [SD] cm), 24-hour excretion of sodium (-28.2 ± 71.7 mmol/d), potassium (+8.4 ± 27.8 mmol/d), phosphorus (-27.7 ± 314.1 mg/d), and protein intake (-1.7 ± 19.4 g/d) were observed. After adjustment for relevant covariates, the following variables were associated significantly with reduction in ln(UAE) in separate models: decrease in waist circumference (P = 0.001), decrease in 24-hour urine phosphorus excretion (P < 0.001), and decrease in protein intake (P = 0.01). In a multivariable model including these 3 predictors, decreases in waist circumference (P = 0.002) and 24-hour urine phosphorus excretion (P = 0.03), but not change in protein intake (P = 0.5), remained associated significantly with reduction in ln(UAE). These associations remained significant even after adjustment for changes in blood pressure and insulin resistance. Baseline UAE and metabolic syndrome modified the relationship of waist circumference with ln(UAE); specifically, individuals with higher UAE and baseline metabolic syndrome experienced greater reductions in ln(UAE) from decreases in waist circumference. LIMITATIONS: Observational study with potential for confounding. CONCLUSIONS: In adults with normal kidney function, decreases in waist circumference and 24-hour urine phosphorus excretion are associated with reductions in UAE. These findings support the rationale for clinical trials to determine whether reducing dietary phosphorus intake or waist circumference could prevent chronic kidney disease or slow its progression.

Insulin resistance-associated cardiovascular disease: potential benefits of conjugated linoleic acid.

Type 2 diabetes and associated cardiovascular disease have reached global epidemic proportions. Recent data from the World Health Organization Multinational Study of Vascular Disease in Diabetes indicate that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality (52% of deaths) in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Although insulin resistance plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes-related cardiovascular disease, other related risk factors often cluster in a single patient; the combination of insulin resistance and these risk factors is known as the metabolic syndrome. According to the World Health Organization definition, this constellation of risk factors includes hypertension, elevated plasma triacylglycerol, reduced HDL cholesterol, central obesity, and microalbuminuria. The Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial showed that, although diabetes or insulin resistance is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease mortality, these other components of the metabolic syndrome confer additive risk. Thus, to effectively address cardiovascular disease in persons with diabetes, intervention would ideally target all these factors. Conjugated linoleic acid could represent a candidate agent. The therapeutic potential of conjugated linoleic acid against insulin resistance-associated cardiovascular disease is discussed on the basis of the reported effects of conjugated linoleic acid on individual components of the metabolic syndrome.