Abstract: The protective effect of Meretrix meretrix oligopeptide (MMO) on high fat diet-induced kidney injury in mice was examined. A chronic kidney injury model was established by feeding a high fat diet to mice, and then the mice were lavaged with MMO for 30 days. Kidney index was measured, and serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) contents were determined as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in kidney homogenate. In addition, atherosclerosis index (AI) was calculated and renal pathological changes were examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 in kidney tissue. The results showed that treatment with MMO significantly decreased kidney index, serum TG, TC and LDL-C levels and AI and increased serum HDL-C level as compared to the model group. Treatment with MMO significantly elevated SOD and GSH-Px activities and lowered MDA level in liver homogenate. The immunohistochemical assay showed that MMO markedly down-regulated the protein expression level of α-SMA and TGF-β1 in kidney tissue. Therefore, MMO can effectively protects against chronic kidney injury induced by high fat diet in mice.

Key words: Meretrix meretrix oligopeptides, high fat diet, kidney injury, protective effect