Modulation of Renal Insulin Signaling Pathway and Antioxidant Enzymes with Diabetes: Effects of Resveratrol

Diabetes mellitus, a disease arising by the deficiency of insulin hormone or its inability of usage, affects carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism, and destruct variety of the tissues. A strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent; resveratrol has a high potential to prevent or treat the pathogenesis of diseases. This study was conducted to reveal the relationship between diabetes-induced oxidative stress and tissue inflammation with changes in antioxidant enzymes (cat, sod, gpx, and gst) and the components of insulin signaling pathway (insulin Rβ, irs-1, pi3k, akt, mtor) in kidney tissues. Additionally, the effects of resveratrol on these parameters were evaluated. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups; (1) control/vehicle; (2) control/20 mg/kg resveratrol; (3) diabetic/vehicle; (4) diabetic/20 mg/kg resveratrol. Results demonstrated down-regulation of antioxidant enzymes in the kidney tissues of diabetic rats and this situation was devoted partially to the reduced expression of nfκb. Moreover, the components of renal insulin signaling elements were up-regulated in diabetic rats, and resveratrol treatment decreased this sensitization towards the control state. In conclusion, resveratrol improved diabetes-induced renal oxidative stress and inflammation partly due to healing action on renal antioxidant enzymes and insulin signaling pathway components.