The Potential Modulating Impact of the Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (Dpp-4) Inhibitor, Sitagliptin on Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats

Abstract

The main risk factor for the onset and development of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is hyperglycemia. Kidney end-stage disease is brought on by DN, a significant microvascular consequence of diabetes. In this study, we evaluated the renoprotective potential of sitagliptin in a rat model of streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced DN. Following the intraperitoneal treatment of rats with 110 mg/kg nicotinamide followed 15 min by 60 mg/kg streptozotocin, DN manifested in rats after 8 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, HbA1c, serum urea and creatinine, and urine albumin levels were assessed in control, DN, and DN rats treated with sitagliptin. Additionally, paraffin-embedded kidney segment histopathological assessment was carried out. The increased levels of fasting, postprandial blood glucose, and HbA1c were decreased with sitagliptin. Sitagliptin restored the changes in kidney structure and function brought on by DN. The findings suggest that sitagliptin could prevent DN by stringent glycemic management, restoring the kidneys' declining function and protecting their structure.