Renal injury induced in alloxan diabetic rats. Role of Mycophenolate Mofetil as therapeutic agent

BackgroundRenal injury may develop in uncontrolled chronic hyperglycemia due to increased oxidative stress and release of pro-inflammatory mediators, leading to diabetic complications.MethodsMycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressant drug, an inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), relevant to inflammation processes. MMF effect was tested in alloxan-diabetic rats on selected parameters like oxidative stress, gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), in relation to microalbuminuria and renal function.ResultsWe found that the onset of microalbuminuria preceded the increase in serum glucose after alloxan treatment. Gene expression of TNF-α and TGF-β1 showed gradual increase after one and two weeks of alloxan administration as compared to the normal group. MMF administration decreased the gene expression of TNF-α and TGF-β1 in kidney tissues, serum glucose, fructosamine, urea, creatinine, C-reactive protein, malondialdehyde, urinary microalbumin and total protein. Histological examination of kidney tissues showed significant improvement in MMF treated rats as compared to diabetic control.ConclusionsMMF modulated renal injury of alloxan diabetic rats. Collective data may support its therapeutic effect but further clinical trials may be requested.