Tempol effects on diabetic nephropathy in male rats.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of the chronic kidney disease in the world. Oxidative stress on the other hand has a major and well known role in its pathophysiology.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to figure out if tempol, a synthetic antioxidant agent, modifies DN and to determine its relevance to changes of serum oxidative biomarkers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven male rats were equally divided in to 4 groups (7 rats for each group). Group I (control or C), group II (diabetic or D), groups III (Tempol) which were given tempol (100 mg/kg/day) by gavages for 28 days and group IV (D&T) which includes diabetic rats that also received same dose of tempol. After treatment, blood samples were isolated. Enzymatic scavengers including catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, lipid peroxidation (LPO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total thiol molecules (TTM) were measured. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) an albumin/Cr ratio were evaluated as well. Statistical differences were assessed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by SPSS followed by Tukey t test.

RESULTS: Oxidative stress biomarkers modified and Alb/Cr ratio increased in diabetic group (II), however, they were altered to normal in group IV (D&T) compared with diabetic group (D).

CONCLUSION: Tempol can modify oxidative stress biomarkers and presumably nephropathy in diabetic rats.