Protective Role of Vitamin C on Renal Morphology and Functions in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes in Albino Rats

Aim: To study the renoprotective effect of Vitamin C on the histology of the proximal convoluted tubules in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in albino rats. Study design: A prospective experimental study. Place: Department of Anatomy, Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore. Duration: January to April 2011 for a period of 12 weeks. Material and methods: Forty five male albino rats were divided into three groups A, B and C respectively. Group A served as the control group, group B and C were administered STZ in a single dose of 45mg/kg whereas group C additionally received Vit C in a dose of 10g/L/day in drinking water three days before the administration of STZ. The rats were sacrificed at the end of the experimental period, their blood samples taken and their kidneys dissected, fixed in alcoholic formalin and processed further for histological examination. Serum glucose, glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1C) and serum creatinine levels were compared in all the three groups. Results: The microscopic examination of the proximal convoluted tubules revealed marked epithelial, cytoplasmic and nuclear changes in the STZ treated group B and significant reduction in the severity of these changes in Vit C treated group C. There was a considerable increase in serum glucose and glycated Hb levels in both STZ and Vit C treated groups as compared to control. Serum creatinine levels were significantly elevated in group B as compared to control, whereas in group C its level was significantly reduced when compared to group B. Conclusion: The results of the investigation indicated that Vit C administration suppressed the progression of renal injury in diabetic rats. Our findings conclude that Vit C supplementation has a protective role against deterioration of renal structure and functions brought about by free radical toxicity in diabetes mellitus.