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Protective effects of omega‐3 fatty acids in an animal model of diabetic nephropathy
Author(s) -
Garman Joe,
Dixon Alexis,
Maric Christine
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a840-a
Background: Omega‐3 fatty acids have been shown to have beneficial cardiovascular effects; however, their effects in diabetic nephropathy are unknown. Objectives: This study compared the effects of diets supplemented with omega‐3 fatty acid‐rich walnuts and canola oil in an animal model of diabetic nephropathy. Methods: The study was performed in 10 week‐old male Sprague‐Dawley non‐diabetic (ND) and streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats fed normal rat chow (D), rat chow supplemented with walnuts (DW), or canola oil (DC) for 30 weeks. Results: D was associated with increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE; ND 17.8±6.4; D 97.3±9.4; mg/day, p<0.001), increased systolic blood pressure (BP; ND 153±9; D 198±7; mmHg, p<0.05) and glomerulosclerosis (GSI; ND 0.6±0.2; D 1.8±0.2; p<0.01). Both DW (UAE 12.6±2.5; BP 160±15; GSI 0.6±0.2) and DC (UAE 8.3±2.2; BP 162±9; GSI 0.8±0.1) diets prevented these changes associated with diabetes. Conclusion: Our results suggest that walnuts and canola oil prevent diabetic renal injury. We conclude that a diet supplemented with walnuts or canola oil, as a source of omega‐3 fatty acids, may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of diabetic end‐organ complications.