Mechanistic studies have suggested that flavonoids may have beneficial effects on glucose metabolism. However, their specific associations with type 2 diabetes remain unclear. A study conducted by Hye Won Woo and colleagues aimed to investigate the prospective associations between dietary flavonoid intake (total, classes, and individual flavonoids) and the risk of type 2 diabetes in the CardioVascular disease Association Study. The study included 16,666 Korean men and women enrolled at baseline. Over a median follow-up period of 5.96 years, 953 participants were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Flavonoid intake was cumulatively averaged using food frequency questionnaires before censoring events. A Poisson regression model estimated incidence rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals. They found: In women, higher intake of total flavonoids, flavonols, isoflavones, and proanthocyanidins was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. In men, flavanones, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins were inversely associated with type 2 diabetes risk. However, total flavonoids were not significantly associated. The foods contributing to flavonoid intake differed between men and women. For men, tangerines and strawberries were important sources, while for women, green leafy vegetables and soy products played a role. (1)
Piyusha Kulkarni and colleagues consider that chronic kidney disease is a progressive systemic condition characterized by irreversible changes in kidney function and structure over an extended period, spanning months to years. As a major global cause of mortality, chronic kidney disease poses significant challenges. Unfortunately, treatment options remain limited. Key risk factors for chronic kidney disease progression include diabetes and hypertension. The disease is primarily characterized by glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis. On the other hand, plants have long been recognized as safe and effective in managing various chronic conditions. Within this context, a diverse group of phytoconstituents has emerged as promising agents. These include polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and terpenes. Terpenes constitute a diverse class of plant compounds with various therapeutic benefits. Evidence-based pharmacological studies highlight their crucial role in preventing and managing chronic kidney disease. Terpenes exhibit the ability to modulate detrimental pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. As a result, they offer potential benefits in renal dysfunction.
REFERENCE
(1) Hye Won Woo et al, The association of dietary total flavonoids and their subclasses with the risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective cohort study, Eur J Nutr. 2024 Feb 28. doi: 10.1007/s00394-024-03341-x.
(2) Piyusha Kulkarni et al, Terpenes in the management of chronic kidney disease, Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2024 Apr 29.