TITLE:
Zinc Chloride Protects against Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats
AUTHORS:
Waleed H. Almalki, El-Shaimaa A. Arafa, Amal Y. Abdallah, Amal M. Mahfoz, Afaf O. Osman, Hekma A. Abd El-Latif, Imran Shahid
KEYWORDS:
Zinc Chloride, Oxidative Stress, Streptozotocin, Diabetes, Nephropathy
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.7 No.8,
August
29,
2016
ABSTRACT: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a health problem affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Diabetic
nephropathy (DN), as a significant complication of DM, has become the most common cause of endstage
renal failure. Oxidative stress constitutes the key and common events in the pathogenesis of
DN and antioxidants may play a beneficial role in its prevention. This study was conducted to investigate
the effect of Zinc Chloride on streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats compared
to Gliclazide, a reference antidiabetic agent. Results showed that Zinc Chloride was able to
control STZ-induced DN in rats as it normalized the elevated blood pressure, the increased insulin
release, and the decreased blood glucose level. Zinc Chloride also improved kidney function as
determined by the restoration of blood urea and creatinine level. Finally, Zinc Chloride was able to
boost the antioxidant defenses of the kidney by increasing the reduced glutathione content and
decreasing lipid peroxides content in addition to significantly decreasing kidney nitric oxide content
compared to diabetic control rats. These results suggest that exposure to Zinc Chloride can
protect from diabetic nephropathy and can be used as an adjuvant approach to treatment and prevention
of renal damage.