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, 100μmol/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.