New research by scientists at the Peninsula Medical School in South West England discovered a compound found in grape skin can stop diabetes complications such as heart disease, retinopathy, and nephropathy .
The compound, resveratrol can protect against cellular damage to blood vessels, a result of high glucose production.
The paper published in the Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism journal found that increased levels of glucose circulating in the blood of diabetics causes micro and macrovascular complications. This happens as a result of mitochondria, (power packs) in the cells being damaged and leaking electrons, which creates harmful free radicals.
The complications that can occur as a result are kidney disease, heart disease, and retinopathy which can lead to blindness if untreated.
The compound helps cells to produce protective enzymes that prevent electrons from leaking and the free radicals from being formed.
Resveratrol is also naturally found in seeds, peanuts and red wine .
Dr. Matt Whiteman, Principal Investigator and Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Peninsula Medical School, said, "Resveratrol’s antioxidant effects in the test tube are well documented but our research shows the link between high levels of glucose, its damaging effect on cell structure, and the ability of resveratrol of protect against and mend that damage."
He added, "Resveratrol or related compounds could be used to block the damaging effect of glucose which in turn might fight the often life threatening complications that accompany diabetes. It could well be the basis of effective diet-based therapies for the prevention of vascular damage caused by hyperglycaemia in the future."
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