Protective effect of luteolin on streptozotocin-induced diabetic renal damage in mice via the regulation of RIP140/NF-кB pathway and insulin signalling pathway

Luteolin (LUT) is one of the most common flavonoids present in various fruits and vegetables. The effects of luteolin (LUT) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic renal damage were investigated. LUT was orally administered at 10, 20 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks to streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Serum levels of uric acid, creatinine, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and blood urea nitrogen were measured. Urinary uric acid and creatinine were assayed. Serum insulin level and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were determined. Kidney pathological changes were detected. Receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP140)/nuclear factor кB (NF-кB) pathway and insulin signalling pathway were detected. LUT restored streptozotocin-induced insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, hyperuricemia, and renal inflammatory cell infiltration in streptozotocin-induced mice. Furthermore, LUT inhibited RIP140/NF-кB pathway and improved the insulin signalling pathway in streptozotocin-induced renal damage in mice. Thus, the beneficial effect of LUT against diabetic nephropathy (DN) is related to its regulation of RIP140/NF-кB and insulin pathway.