Renoprotective effect of fucoidan from Acaudina molpadioides in streptozotocin/high fat diet-induced type 2 diabetic mice

Fucoidan from sea cucumber exerts anti-hyperglycemia and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its renoprotective activities are unclear. In the current study, renoprotective effects of fucoidan from Acaudina molpadioides (Am-FUC) were investigated in type 2 diabetic mice induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin and high fat diet feeding. Results showed that Am-FUC attenuated renal dysfunction through the decreases in urinary urea nitrogen, albumin, β-N-Acetyl-D-glucosaminidase, and albumin-to-creatinine ratio. In Am-FUC-treated mice, significant reductions in tubular atrophy and glomerular basement membrane thickness were observed. Immunohistological examination revealed that Am-FUC attenuated renal fibrosis. Am-FUC decreased the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, and phosphorylated Smad3. Renal oxidative stress and inflammation were also alleviated by Am-FUC treatment. Our data demonstrate that Am-FUC has significantly renoprotective effects through attenuating TGF-β1 signal, which associated with the improvement against hyperglycemia, obesity, oxidative stress and inflammation.