Protein-restricted diet during pregnancy is related to oxidative stress and, as a consequence, damage to nephrogenesis. We investigated the effects of vinifera grape skin extract (ACH09)-derived polyphenols on preserving renal morphology of maternal protein-restricted 1-day-old offspring.

Female C57/Bl-6 mice were fed two different isocaloric diets: control diet (19.3�% protein) and low-protein diet (6�% protein) with access to water or to the extract dissolved in drinking water (19.3�% protein plus ACH09 200�mg�kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ and 6�% protein plus ACH09 200�mg�kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) throughout gestation. Renal morphology—glomerular number N[glom]; renal maturity—vascular glomeruli and avascular glomeruli ratio (v–N[glom]/a-N[glom]); medullar and cortical volumes, as well as mean glomerular volume, were analyzed in male offspring. Hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase (CAT) activities were evaluated, and renal lipid peroxidation levels were measured.

Maternal protein restriction affected birth weight and naso-anal length in low-protein offspring compared to control and ACH09 restored both parameters. Protein restriction increased lipid peroxidation in kidney and liver and reduced CAT activity in low-protein group compared to control. Supplementation with ACH09 reduced the kidney oxidative damage and restored the antioxidant activity of CAT. ACH09 prevented glomerular loss and renal immaturity in the offspring.

The treatment of low-protein-fed dams during pregnancy with ACH09 provides protection from early-life deleterious renal morphological changes. The protective effect of ACH09 may involve antioxidant action and vasodilator effect of the extract.