Role of ghrelin in the experimental diabetic nephropathy model

Aim: The aim of this thesis is to investigate the role of ghrelin in the formation of diabetic nephropathy (DNp). In addition, we aimed to investigate the possible effects of ghrelin in the diabetic rat model to prevent DNp formation and in the treatment of the disease. Material and Method: In the experiment, 63 male Wistar Albino rats aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into 9 groups. Diabetic groups were named as: DD-1 = 1.Diabetic Experimental Group (n = 7) [1-week diabetes], DD-2: 2.Diabetic Experimental Group (n = 7) [3-week diabetes], DD-3 = 3.Diabetic Experimental Group (n = 7) [6-week diabetes], DD-4 = 4.Diabetic Experimental Group (n = 7) [8-week diabetes] and MT: Metformin Treatment Group (n = 7) [8-week diabetes]. Control groups were named as: NDK-1 = 1.Non-Diabetic Control Group (n = 7) NDK-2 = 2.Non-Diabetic Control Group (n = 7), NDK-3 = 3.Non-Diabetic Control Group (n = 7) and NDK-4 = 4.Non-Diabetic Control Group (n = 7). To induce diabetes, rats were administered a single dose of 35 mg / kg intraperitoneally from streptozotocin (STZ) solution prepared in citrate buffer. After diabetes is formed in the MT group oral metformin is administered as 100 mg / kg / day antidiabetic. Results: Significant differences were found between the DD-4 and NDK-4 groups between plasma ghrelin, plasma angiotensin II, urine creatinine, serum creatinine final weight, first and last fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P <0.01). The total plasma ghrelin levels of all rats were found to be a statistically significant difference in positive direction between urinary creatinine and final weights (P <0.01). The total plasma ghrelin levels of all rats were found to be statistically significant difference in negative direction between plasma angiotensin II, first and last FBS (P <0.01). Conclusion: In conclusion, in our study, plasma ghrelin levels in STZ-induced post-diabetic rats decreased as diabetes progressed but plasma angiotensin II and serum creatinine levels were increased. This suggests that plasma ghrelin levels have an effect on the development of DNp. The addition of ghrelin to the treatment of diabetic patients indicates that it may prevent or delay the development of DNp.