Effect of Blueberry Supplement on Alleviating Aged-Associated Kidney Dysfunction in Rats

The study investigated the possible benefits of supplementing with blueberry extract (BBE) to mitigate age-related kidney alterations and oxidative stress in a murine model. As aging is related to structural and functional changes in the kidneys, the study aimed to determine whether the implementation of a BBE-enriched diet could alleviate these negative consequences. In this study, 4-week administration with a BBE to 24-month-old male Wistar rats orally (100 mg/kg) was investigated in aging-induced alterations in kidney biochemistry including kidney function (blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and calcium ions levels), oxidants/antioxidants status [lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)], and inflammation status (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-10), in addition to the kidney structure. The study revealed significant changes in different kidney parameters in aging rats, including increased serum urea and creatinine levels, decreased blood calcium levels, increased MMP-9, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and decreased antioxidant enzyme activity. However, including BBE in the diet of aged rats resulted in several positive outcomes. Histopathological investigation revealed age-related structural alterations in the kidneys, which were partially mitigated by BBE, notably in terms of the preservation of glomerular integrity. Finally, the study reveals that BBE has therapeutic potential in combating age-related renal oxidative stress and inflammation, making it a promising diet intervention for maintaining kidney health in aging individuals.