Renoprotective effects of GABA on ischemia/reperfusion- induced renal injury in hyperglycemic male and female rats

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been known as a complex clinical complication in diabetic patients. The main cause of AKI is ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of GABA on renal IRI in hyperglycemic female and male rats. Methods: Sixty STZ induced diabetic male and female Wistar rats were categorized in 10 groups (5 female &5 male groups). Groups 1-3 in each gender received GABA (10, 50, 100&micro;mol/kg/day) for 3 days, and then were subjected to renal IRI. Group 4 in each gender was subjected to renal IRI alone, and group 5 was subjected to surgical operation without renal IRI.24 hr after I/R injury, blood sample was obtained, and the animal were sacrificed for pathology investigation. Results: Renal IRI alone increased the serum blood urea nitrogen levels (BUN) and creatinine (Cr), and kidney damage in both male and female rats significantly (P<0.05), however all doses of GABA decreased the serum BUN and Cr levels and tissue damage when compared with control group. Conclusion: From the results of this study it seems that GABA administration in hyperglycemic rats could decrease renal injury after an ischemia/reperfusion.