Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of chronic renal failure worldwide. Related to the increased glucose and its metabolites, activation of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, and increased oxidative stress are important in renal deterioration. The studies indicate that suppression of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system slow down diabetic nephropathy; Nigella sativa decreases blood glucose and oxidative stress. Were viewed the literature about clinical and experimental studies of diabetic nephropathy but could not find a study involving combination therapy of anti-oxidant medication and angiotensin receptor blockers. In our study; we aimed to study the effects of angiotensin tip II receptor blocker irbesartan at a dose without blood pressure lowering effect and the combination of irbesartan and Nigella sativa on experimental nephropathy.

Design: At the end of the study, the renal functions, metabolic markers were assessed at sacrified rats after a 24 h urine collection. Collagen and inducible nitricoxide synthase deposits were evaluated in renal cortex specimens. The data of healthy, sick control and treatment groups were compared. The treatment groups were 5 mg/kg per day irbesartan; 5 mg/kg per day irbesartan and Nigella sativa oil 0.2 ml/day per body weight.

Results: In their besartan treatment group, improvement in renal function was observed compared to the sick control group because of significant decrease in glomerular filtration rate, urine output, urinary excreted albümin. The findings of treatment with irbesartan in combination with Nigella was more beneficial because of the decrement in blood glucose and urinary glucose excretion and increment in both renal and rat weights. In addition, there was a significant improvement in renal histopathology of the rats given irbesartan in combination with Nigella sativa.

Conclusion: Our findings suggested that in addition to tight glycemic control, suppression of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system is crucial and administration of Nigella sativa oil improve this renoprotective effect for preventing renal deterioration due to diabetes mellitus.