Abstract

This study examined the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on kidney of diabetic nephropathy rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three Groups: control, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy and received GSPE 500 mg/kg for 6 weeks. At first, 24-h urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was studied two weeks after induction of diabetes then each week until the end of the experimental period in all of groups. At the end, the experimental animals were sacrificed and the right kidneys were collected and were prepared for light microscopy and electron microscopy evaluation. The results showed that the UAE and kidney weight in diabetic nephropathy rats were significantly higher than in control. Also an increase of the mesangial matrix, apoptotic cells, Bax expression, glomerular basement membrane thickness and broadening of foot process in diabetic nephropathy group rats were observed when compared to control group. These features were found to be reversed when the GSPE was administered to the experimental animals. Our results suggest that GSPE can prevent the progression of nephropathy in diabetic rats.

Key words: Apoptosis, diabetic nephropathy, Bax protein, glomerular basement membrane, grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE).