Evaluating the Renoprotective Effect of Milk Thistle Extract on Patients With Type II Diabetic Nephropathy
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2011-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
There is considerable evidence that increased blood glucose results in the generation of
reactive oxygen species, ultimately leading to increased oxidative stress in a variety of
tissues. This may lead to the activation of stress-sensitive intracellular signaling
pathways, causing cellular damage and late complications of diabetes including renal injury.
Although the investigators understanding of how hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress
ultimately leads to tissue damage has advanced considerably in recent years, effective
therapeutic strategies to prevent or delay the development of this damage remain limited. The
flavonoid complex silymarin, an extract from the milk thistle, and its major pharmacological
active component silibinin are free radical scavengers and potent membrane stabilizers by
preventing lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, during early stages of diabetes, flavonoids
minimize oxidative stress, and inflammation which represent important factors in the
development of diabetic nephropathy.
In this study the investigators plan to evaluate the renoprotective effect of milk thistle
extract on type II diabetic patients with kidney disease.