Inhibition of Increased Synthesis of Glomerular Basement Membrane Collagen in Diabetic Rats in vivo

Abstract

Diabetic rats were treated intraperitoneally for 2 weeks with (+)-catechιn in two different dosages or calcium dobesilate and the influence of these substances on protein and basement membrane collagen synthesis was investigated. Both drugs did not alter the diabetic metabolic situation. At the lower dose, (+)-catechin led to a slight decrease and at the higher dose to a small increase of basement membrane collagen synthesis. But compared to untreated controls these differences were statistically not significant. Calcium dobesilate inhibited markedly the raised basement membrane collagen synthesis. However, this effect does not appear to be specific, since the raised general protein synthesis was also reduced. These findings show that the disturbed basement membrane metabolism in diabetes can be influenced without altering the metabolic situation.

Renoprotective effects of tea catechin in streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats

“…Flavonoids act as scavengers of free radicals or reactive oxygen species, leading to cytoprotective effects against oxidative stress. More than two decades ago, Hasslacher reported that (+)-catechin inhibited protein and basal membrane synthesis in isolated glomeruli from diabetic and normal rats [4]. Recently, Rhee et al [5] demonstrated that short-term catechin supplementation reduced albuminuria in diabetic rats.…”

Calcium Dobesilate: Pharmacological Profile Related to Its Use in Diabetic Retinopathy

“…Arterial smooth muscle cell cultures in the presence of homocysteine grew to a higher density and produced and accumulated collagen at levels significantly above control values. In the streptozotocin diabetic rat, it has been shown that calcium dobesilate markedly inhibited the raised basement membrane collagen synthesis 35 …”