The kidneys in humans excrete water and other metabolic end products from the body. They also regulate electrolytes, the acid/base balance and play a role in sugar balance through gluconeogenesis.
Kidney diseases that lead to limitations or failure of kidney function can cause mechanical hemorrhage (dialysis), which currently affects over 60,000 people in Germany.
Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in kidney diseases. This suggests tocotrienols, which are an excellent fat-soluble antioxidant, to be investigated in connection with kidney diseases. What do the studies reveal?
Hyperlipidemia (increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins) is known to be a cause of chronic kidney dysfunction (CRD). This study with rats examined the influence of TRF (100mg/kg oral palm tocotrienols) on kidney function and blood lipids. The tocotrienols were also able to prevent kidney injury (CRD) at relatively low doses.
2.γ-tocotrienol Protects against Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Renal Cell Death(USA 2012 PMC3263958)
Cells of kidney tubules (RPTC, Renal Proxinal Tubular Cells) were exposed to stress factor (TBHP) and 0 to 10 μmol gamma-tocotrienol (GT3) or the alpha-tocopherol (AT). Results:
- GT3 blocked ROS generation (from just 5 umol). Alpha-tocopherol did not have this effect.
- The cell death rate in 24 hours was reduced from 54% to 11.8% by GT3. AT the cell death rate to 21%.
- GT3 improved cellular respiration in the mitochodria of stressed cells.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that kidney tubule cells (RPTC) absorb gamma-tocotrienol, reduce mitochondrial dysfunction, restore ATP levels, block bursts of free radicals and protect the kidney tubules from oxidant-induced lysis and reduced cell death.
Mice received TRF (palm tocotrienols 200 mg/kg body weight) and were exposed to kidney-damaging substances (K 2 Cr 2 O 7). In contrast to the control groups, the proximal reabsorptive function, the glomerular function and the redox status of the cells were preserved in the tocotrienol-treated mice.
50 people with type 2 diabetes received 200mg tocotrienols/day or the placebo. The results show the tocotrienols improve excessive excretion of protein in the urine and prevent inflammation(hs-CRP) and nitrosative stress (NO) in the kidney.
Summary: The studies show that tocotrienols, even in relatively low doses, which can also be achieved through oral administration, are effective against some kidney diseases and can improve kidney function. This is particularly true if the kidney function is damaged by hyperlipidemia or diabetes.
Addendum September 2018: a new text confirms the improvement in kidney function with relatively high doses of EVNol palm tocotrienols in a double-blind clinical study. More details in the current message.