The natural drug DIAVIT is protective in a type II mouse model of diabetic nephropathy

Abstract

There is evidence to suggest that abnormal angiogenesis, inflammation, and fibrosis drive diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, there is no specific treatment to counteract these processes. We aimed to determine whether DIAVIT, a natural Vaccinium myrtillus (blueberry) and Hippophae Rhamnoides (sea buckthorn) extract, is protective in a model of type II DN. Diabetic db/db mice were administered DIAVIT in their drinking water for 14 weeks. We assessed the functional, structural, and ultra-structural phenotype of three experimental groups (lean+vehicle, db/db+vehicle, db/db+DIAVIT). We also investigated the angiogenic and fibrotic pathways involved in the mechanism of action of DIAVIT. Diabetic db/db mice developed hyperglycaemia, albuminuria, and an increased glomerular water permeability; the latter two were prevented by DIAVIT. db/db mice developed fibrotic glomeruli, endothelial insult, and glomerular ultra-structural changes, which were not present in DIAVIT-treated mice. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) splicing was altered in the db/db kidney cortex, increasing the pro-angiogenic VEGF-A165 relative to the anti-angiogenic VEGF-A165b. This was partially prevented with DIAVIT treatment. Delphinidin, an anthocyanin abundant in DIAVIT, increased the VEGF-A165b expression relative to total VEGF-A165 in cultured podocytes through phosphorylation of the splice factor SRSF6. DIAVIT, in particular delphinidin, alters VEGF-A splicing in type II DN, rescuing the DN phenotype. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of natural drugs in DN through the manipulation of gene splicing and expression.

The Multifunctional Benefits of Naturally Occurring Delphinidin and Its Glycosides

“…DIAVIT has been shown to protect against type II diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice, as indicated by amelioration of hyperglycaemia and albuminuria and increased glomerular water permeability. In addition, DIAVIT effectively prevents the altered splicing of VEGF-A and increases the ratio of VEGF-A 165 b/total VEGF-A 165 in podocytes in vitro …”

A drug-repositioning screen using splicing-sensitive fluorescent reporters identifies novel modulators of VEGF-A splicing with anti-angiogenic properties

“…Additionally, we have recently reported 23 that a natural blueberry extract (DIAVIT) upregulates production of VEGF-A 165 b isoforms in podocytes. Indeed, when stably transfected HEK293 cells were treated with DIAVIT, the reporter dsRED/EGFP splicing ratio decreases as expected, in a dose-dependent manner (Supplementary Fig.…”

Antiangiogenic therapy in diabetic nephropathy: A double‑edged sword (Review)

“…In a case-controlled study, it was shown that serum VEGF-A was more preferable than that in plasma as a marker reflecting diabetic control in patients with type II diabetes, since a large portion of VEGF-A is derived from platelets ( 35 ). Kidney injury was partially prevented using DIAVIT, a natural Vaccinium myrtillus (blueberry) and Hippophae Rhamnoides (sea buckthorn) extract, due to the alteration of VEGF-A splicing in type II DN, particularly with delphinidin ( 43 ).…”