Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is an important microvascular complication of diabetes and one
of the main causes of end stage renal disease. The protective effect of grape seed proanthocyanidins
extract (GSPE) against streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic nephropathy and oxidative stress in rats
was evaluated. Seventy two male albino rats divided into four groups. Group I (normal group): rats
administered buffer citrate. Group II (DN group): rats received a single intraperitoneal (i.p) injected
dose of STZ (50 mg/kg b.wt). Group III (DN + insulin treated group): diabetic nephropathy rats
treated with insulin (2U/rat/day/i.p). Group IV (DN + GSPE treated group): diabetic nephropathy rats
treated with GSPE (250 mg/kg b.wt/day/orally). The obtained results showed a significant increase in
serum glucose, urea, creatinine and kidney tissue L-MDA concentrations with upregulation of NF-kB
gene expression in diabetic nephropathy induced rats. However, SOD activity and GSH level of
kidney tissues were markedly decreased. Administration of GSPE to DN induced rats caused a
significant improvement of all previous parameters towards their normal ranges. These results
suggested that, GSPE treatment may have a therapeutic effect against STZ-induced diabetic
nephropathy and oxidative stress in rats through free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory
activity as well as regenerating endogenous antioxidant defense system mechanisms.
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