The Effects of Ghrelin on Renal Complications in Newborn Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Objective: Ghrelin is an orexigenic hormone mainly released from the stomachs of rats and takes a significant part in thedevelopment of newborn rats. Ghrelin has been shown to possess antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatoryproperties. In this study, we aimed to examine microscopical and biochemical parameters in the kidney of newborn nontreated diabetic and ghrelin-treated diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: Wistar-type newborn rats were divided into four groups. First group: control rats given physiologicalsaline for four weeks; second group: control animals given ghrelin from the third day to the fourth week; third group: diabeticrats given streptozotocin (STZ) on the second day after birth as a single dose; fourth group: diabetic rats given ghrelin fromthe third day to the fourth week.Results: There was no microscopic difference between the kidney tissues of non-treated diabetic and ghrelin-treated diabeticrats. Lipid peroxidation levels decreased, while superoxide dismutase, catalase activities, and glutathione levels increased inthe diabetic group given ghrelin. Serum urea, uric acid, creatinine levels, myeloperoxidase, and xanthine oxidase activitiesdecreased in diabetic rats treated with ghrelin.Conclusion: It can be said that the ghrelin given exogenously has a protective effect in some degree on renal complicationsin newborn diabetic rats.