Abstract:
Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious microvascular consequences of diabetes, and it is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) / angiotensin receptor blocker (ARBs) combined therapy is more effective than monotherapy in treating DN. Curcumin acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and also affects apoptotic and fibrotic pathways.
Objectives: We hypothesized that adding curcumin to the standard combined ACEI/ARBs treatment of DN could have a more beneficial effect on renal functions. Material and Methods: Type 1 diabetes was prompted by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in thirty adult male Albino rats. They were divided into five groups i.e. control group, diabetic, curcumin treated, captopril/losartan treated and triple therapy treated group. Then, biochemical and histological investigations were conducted.
Results: Captopril/Losartan treated group and curcumin treated group showed partial restoration of shape of some tubules, glomeruli and decrease in apoptosis, congestion of blood vessels, fibrosis and inflammation induced by diabetes. And also it showed partial improvement in renal function. The triple therapy group showed better restoration of renal architecture and more improvement in renal function.
Conclusion: Interestingly, triple therapy group showed better reno-protective effect and improved both urinary and serum biochemical profiles more than curcumin or Captopril/Losartan treated groups alone.