Avaliação da densidade glomerular e da fibrose renal em ratos com Diabetes mellitus induzida por estreptozotocina e tratados com antioxidantes.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, which leads to imbalance of the oxidative-antioxidant system and, consequently, to inflammation. Chronic hyperglycemia can lead to complications such as heart disease, retinopathy, neuropathy and diabetic nephropathy. Changes in extracellular matrix and glomeruli are observed in diabetic nephropathy. Different compounds have been studied for DM treatment such as the antioxidant compounds. The antioxidant compounds are known to improve the redox system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with the antioxidants quercetin, L-glutamine and alpha-tocopherol on glomerular density and renal fibrosis in diabetic rats. Twenty adult male rats were divided into four groups (n = 5): C (control group with normoglycemic animals), D (diabetic group), CT (normoglycemic animals treated with antioxidants) and DT (diabetic group treated with antioxidants). DM induction in groups D and DT was performed by the streptozotocin (STZ) administration (35mg / kg body weight). Antioxidant treatment was performed by gavage with quercetin (100mg / kg body weight), L-glutamine 1% and α-tocopherol 1% (1% body weight) in the animals of groups CT and DT. After an experimental period of 60 days, the animals were euthanized and the kidneys were collected and destined for histological evaluation by Masson's trichrome technique. The results confirmed DM induction with reduced body weight, hyperglycemia, polyphagia and polydipsia in groups D and DT. No changes were observed in renal weight and glomerular density. Renal fibrosis was observed in D, with reduction in DT group. In conclusion, the combined treatment with antioxidants was not able to revert biometric (body weight) and metabolic (food intake and glycemic levels) parameters. However, it was effective to reduce renal fibrosis. New studies are fundamental for a better understanding of the action of antioxidants on renal tissue.