histological study on the possible protective role of garlic in diabetes-induced structural changes in the renal cortex of adult male albino rats

ABSTRACT

Diabetes is a common serious metabolic disorder, and it may cause nephropathy. Garlic was experimentally documented to have an antidiabetic potential. Investigate the possible protective role of garlic in the structural changes of the renal cortex in diabetic male albino rats. Rats were divided into two main groups; group I included rats that were divided equally into a control group Ia [rats were administered distilled water] and a garlic group Ib [rats were administered 100 mg/kg garlic powder]. Group II [diabetic group] included rats in which diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg body weight streptozotocin; then, the rats were divided into two groups an untreated diabetic group IIa [rats were administered distilled water] and a garlic-treated diabetic group IIb [rats were administered 100 mg/kg garlic powder]. At the end of the experiment, the rats in the untreated diabetic group showed a nonsignificant change in their body weight and a significant increase in the mean fasting blood glucose by 40.6%. Microscopic examination of the renal cortex showed structural changes in both the proximal convoluted tubules and distal convoluted tubules in the form of a luminal cast, less basal infolding, and fewer basal mitochondria with loss of its cristae. Loss of microvilli of proximal convoluted tubules, extravasation of red blood cells, and a significant increase in the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane were also observed. However, at the end of the experiment, the garlic-treated diabetic group showed a significant increase in body weight by 21.7%, a significant decrease in the mean fasting blood glucose level by 29.6%, and absence of the most of the structural changes of the renal cortex. Garlic could protect against diabetes-induced structural changes in the renal cortex