Exogenously administered adenosine attenuates renal damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DNP) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). In the present study, we investigated the potential of adenosine as a therapeutic candidate for preventing DNP.Methods: Twenty-one adult male rats were included in the study. Fourteen rats were administered a single dose of 60mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes. Seven rats served as normal control group. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into two groups: one group was treated with 1mL/kg saline/day (DM+saline) and the other group was treated with 5mg/kg/day adenosine (DM+adenosine) for 6weeks. After 6weeks, biochemical parameters including urea, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) were measured in plasma samples. Also, kidneys were removed for histopathological assessment.Results: Both of plasma KIM-1 and TNF- levels were significantly higher in DM+saline group compared to controls. However, treatment of diabetic rats with adenosine significantly decreased the plasma KIM-1 and TNF- levels compared to DM+saline group. Significant histopathological changes were observed in diabetic rats whereas adenosine treatment effectively prevented these changes.Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that adenosine may be a useful therapeutic agent for preventing DNP.