Abstract
We examined the relationship between the polyol pathway and diabetic renal impairement in spontaneously diabetic BB/W rats, using aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI: ONO-2235). The sorbitol content of the kidneys in diabetic group B treated with insulin and ARI or in group C, which are non-diabetic BB/W rats, was lower than that in diabetic group A treated with insulin only (p<0.05, respectively). The urinary albumin excretion rate (U-Alb) and urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activity (U-NAG) significantly increased in group A during the observation period, but there were no changes of U-Alb and U-NAG in groups B and C.
Under light microscopy, the proportions of mesangeal-to-glomerular area in groups B and C were significantly lower than in group A (p<0.05). Under electron microscopy, advanced enlargements of the epithelial cells and adhesions of the foot processes of the glomeruli were greater in group A, than in the other groups.
In conclusion, the polyol pathway has some role in early renal changes in diabetic BB/W rats, indicating possible favorable effects of AR I on diabetic nephropathy.
