A Phytochemical Approach to Experimental Metabolic Syndrome-Associated Renal Damage and Oxidative Stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of DTS-phytocompound on oxidant-antioxidant balance and protein damage in the kidneys of rats administered high doses of fructose. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Group A received a control diet, whereas groups B and C were fed a high-fructose diet (60 g/100 g), the latter with additional DTS (50 mg/kg per day) for 60 days. Lipo-and nitro-peroxidation together with alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression in the glomerular and interstitial tissue of the kidneys were measured after 60 days. Fructose-fed rats showed significantly higher lipoperoxidation, 2,4-dinitrophenol and 3-nitrotyrosine protein adducts, and upregulation of alpha-SMA in the kidney. DTS significantly decreased such redox unbalance in renal tissue, while partially downregulating alpha-SMA (p < 0.01). These data suggest the potential clinical benefit of DTS in protecting the kidneys from metabolic syndrome-associated changes; gender-related analysis is under way.