Background: Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus plays a significant
role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Aim: This study
was performed to assess the pathological effect of diabetes on the
kidney, the possible improvement of diabetic nephropathy by
Insulin, and the therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells.
Methods: 50 healthy albino adult male rats were subdivided into
two main groups, Group 1: control group (8 rats). Group 2: 42 rats
were given a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (80
mg/kg). After 6 weeks, confirming diabetic nephropathy, rats were
dispersed into 3 groups as follows; Group (2a): diabetic
nephropathic untreated rats, Group (2b) was given insulin glargine
6 IU/24 hours, for 6 weeks and Group (2c) was received MSCs in
intravenous injection (106
cells) per rat once. After sacrificing rats
at the end of the experiment, blood sampling was done for
laboratory analysis of serum urea, and creatinine. Kidney samples
were prepared for light and electron microscopic examination.
Results: Diabetic rats showed altered biochemical and histological
changes which are dilated filtration space, focal lytic (degenerated)
areas, and congested blood capillaries were observed in the diabetic
group. Disfigurement of the renal tubules, with vacuolated
cytoplasm in the insulin group while, normal appearance with mild
increase in the Bowman's space in the MSCs group, with significant ameliorative effects on renal
function. Conclusion: Treatment with insulin and MSCs showed improved histological and
biochemical parameters in the kidneys of diabetic rats.