Citrus fruit component blocks harmful kidney disease

Research coming out of the United Kingdom has identified that naringenin, a component of citrus fruits, successfully blocks the formation of kidney cysts. 

 

Polycystic kidney disease, which causes the cysts, is an inherited disorder that leads to the loss of kidney function, high blood pressure, and dialysis. There are few treatment options available.The research team's discovery could be the next step in a cure.

 

“This discovery provides an important step forward in understanding how polycystic kidney disease may be controlled,” said Professor Robin Williams from the School of Biological Sciences at Royal Holloway.

 

The discovery was tested using a mammalian kidney cell-line, in which the team triggered the formation of cysts. They were able to block the cysts by adding naringenin. Ultimately, the research revealed that naringenin could regulate PKD2 levels, the protein responsible for polycystic kidney disease, and successfully block the formation of cysts.

 

The findings were published in the British Journal of Pharmacology. Research was conducted by a team of scientists from Royal Holloway, St. George’s, University of London and Kingston University London. The research was funded by a SWan (SouthWest London Academic Network) research grant.

 

For more information visit the Royal Holloway website.

 

Source: Royal Holloway, University of London