Gamma Amino Butyric Acid Attenuates Liver and Kidney Damage Associated with Insulin Alteration in -Irradiated and Streptozotocin- Treated Rats

Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is one of the inhibitory neurotransmitters that may have the ability to relive the intensity of stress. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the role of -amino butyric acid (GABA) in modulating insulin disturbance associated with liver and kidney damage in -irradiated and streptozotocin-treated rats. Irradiation was performed by whole body exposure to 6 Gy from a Cs-137 source. Streptozotocin (STZ) was administered in a single intraperitoneal dose (60 mg/kg body weight). GABA (200 mg/Kg body weight/day) was administered daily via gavages during 3 weeks to -irradiated and STZ-treatedrats. The results obtained showed that -irradiation induced hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance (similar to type 2 Diabetes), while STZtreatment produced hyperglycemia, insulin deficiency with no insulin resistance detected (similar to type 1 Diabetes). In both cases, significant increases of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) activities, urea and creatinine levels were recorded in the serum. These changes were associated with oxidative damage to the liver and kidney tissues notified by significant decreases of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in parallel to significant increases of malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) levels. The administration of GABA to irradiated as well as STZ-treated rats regulated insulin and glucose levels, minimized oxidative stress and reduced the severity of liver and kidney damage. It could be concluded that GABA could be a useful adjunct to reduce some metabolic complications associated with insulin deficiency and insulin resistance.