T. Yokozawa et al., MAGNESIUM LITHOSPERMATE-B SUPPRESSES THE INCREASE OF ACTIVE OXYGEN INRATS AFTER SUBTOTAL NEPHRECTOMY, Nephron, 75(1), 1997, pp. 88-93
Subtotally nephrectomized rats were found to have decreased activities
of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, and spin trapping with 5,
5-dimethyl- pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) showed that the amount of hydroxy
l radical in the residual kidney tissue was greater than that in norma
l rat kidney. This indicated both direct and indirect involvement of f
ree radicals in renal failure. In contrast, rats given magnesium litho
spermate B (10 mg/kg body weight) orally for 30 days after subtotal ne
phrectomy showed restoration of SOD and catalase activities to almost
normal levels. Hydroxyl radical, which is highly reactive and for whic
h there is no scavenger system in the body, was decreased markedly in
kidney homogenates obtained from rats given magnesium lithespermate B
and in an experimental system for hydroxyl radical production to which
magnesium lithospermate B was directly added. The increased levels of
uremic toxins in the blood were also low in rats given magnesium lith
ospermate B. This indicates that magnesium lithospermate B helps to in
hibit the progression of renal failure by scavenging radicals.