In obese individuals, the excessive accumulation of fat impairs the renal function. According to Kamel Charradi and colleagues, Université de Carthage, Tunisia, obesity-induced renal dysfunction can be alleviated using grape skin and seed extracts, a common nutritional supplement consisting of polyphenolics and flavonoids.
The researchers revealed that, during a high fat diet, triglycerides accumulate in renal cells where they promote oxidative stress and a depletion of copper ions. In this way, triglycerides reduce the activity of copper-dependent enzymes, ultimately decreasing the renal function. These phenomena, however, are abrogated when the high fat diet is associated with the consumption of grape seed and skin extracts. As a consequence, these supplements can be used to alleviate renal dysfunction induced by obesity or other diseases.
- Grape seed and skin extract alleviates high-fat diet-induced renal lipotoxicity and prevents copper depletion in rat,
K. Charradi, S. Elkahoui, I. Karkouch, F. Limam, G. Hamdaoui, F. Ben Hassine, M. V. El May, A. El May, E. Aouani,
Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 2013, 38, 259–267.
DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2012-0416
