Can cinnamon reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress in diabetic nephropathy?: An experimental rat model

Objectives: The aim was to investigate the effects of cinnamon on the kidney tissue serum endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress marker, reticulone (RTN)1A, receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and the lipid peroxidation indicator, malondialdehyde (MDA) in an experimental diabetes mellitus (DM) rat model. Methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar Albino rats (six months old and weighing 350–400 g) were divided equally into four groups: 1) Control group-citrate buffer (0.2 M, pH 4.4; ip); 2) Cinnamon group-cinnamon (600 mg/kg/day, orogas-tric tube); 3) DM group-STZ (35 mg/kg, ip); and 4) DM + cinnamon group; Cinnamon and STZ were given at the same doses and route as in Groups 2 and 3, respectively. At the end of the 12-week experiment period, serum, urine and kidney tissue samples were taken from all groups. Serum RTN 1A, RAGE, MDA, urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine levels andkidney tissue RTN 1A, RAGE and MDA levels were measured. Results: Our biochemical results showed that there was a statistically significant decrease in RAGE and MDA levels in the DM + cinnamon group compared to the DM group (p<0.05). In addition, the decrease in serum urea, BUN, and creatinine levels in the DM + cinnamon group was also remarkable (p<0.05). Althought histologically no widespread necrosis was observed, cortical interstitial vascular dilatation was observed in DM+cinnamon group. Conclusion: Cinnamon was effective in reducing markers of oxidative stress and ER stress including RAGE and MDA, in kidney tissue in an animal model of diabetic nephropathy.