10.5505/2017ichc.PP-254 [Pathology and clinical medicine]
Effects of Atorvastatin on the Renal Tissue in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Melda Yardimoglu1, Liridona Adili Osmani1, Ayşegül Albayrak Aytekin1, Ceyla Eraldemir2, Esra Acar2, Kürşat Yıldız3, Canan Baydemir4
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
2Department of Biochemistry, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
3Department of Pathology, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
4Department of Biostatistics, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey

INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Turkey is the country with the biggest increase in diabetes in Europe. This study was planned to investigate
the possible protective effect of Atorvastatin on renal morfology and oxidative stress in STZ-induced diabetic rats.
MATERIALS & METHODS: Wistar albino female rats (200-220 g) were divided into six groups: non-diabetic control (C); Diabetic control (DM);
Non-diabetic rats administered 10 mg/kg Atorvastatin (C-A 10); Non-diabetic rats administered 20 mg/kg Atorvastatin (C-A 20); Diabetic
rats administered 10 mg/kg Atorvastatin (DM-A10); Diabetic rats administered 20 mg/kg Atorvastatin (DM-A20). The experimental diabetes
model was administered as single-dose of STZ (40 mg/kg in sodium citrate buffer 0,1 M pH 4, i.p.). A week after the establishment of DM,
the groups of C-A and DM-A received daily treatment of Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) via oral gavage for 3 weeks. At the end
of the experiment all rats were sacrificed and the kidneys were removed and processed for histological and biochemical studies. Paraffin
serial sections stained with H&E and TGF-β immunocytochemistry method. Glomerular diameters were quantified and evaluated by light
microcopy. MDA levels was measured spectrophotometrically by biochemical methods
RESULTS: There was a statistical difference of the body weights between the groups. Body weights in DM group, were significantly decreased
compared to control group (p < 0.01) (Graphic 1). There was a significant difference in the size of the glomeruls between the internal and
external zones of the renal cortex. There was a significant difference between the glomerul size in internal and external cortical zones of the
groups. The glomeruls of diabetic rats administered Atorvastatin were significantly larger compared with the Group C (Graphic 2, Table 1).
Group DM displayed tubular and vascular dilatation, fibrotic changes and glomerular space reduction (Fig.1). TGF-β (+) cells were seen in DM
group compared with the other groups (Fig.2). These histological changes were less prominent in groups treated with Atorvastatin.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that DM induces histopathological changes on renal morphology. Atorvastatin treated groups indicate
healthier histological structure but showed incresed of glomerular hypertrophy compared with other groups.
Keywords: Kidney, Streptozotocin-induced diatbetic rats, Atorvastatin, TGF-β.