Protective effect of tadalafil in diabetic nephropathy induced rat model

Background: Among various mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN), abnormalities in renal nitric oxide (NO) generation has attracted a lot of attention. Tadalafil, a competitive inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 commonly used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction was suggested to play a potential prophylactic role for DN. However, this role has not been fully elucidated. The present study was designed to explore the potential beneficial effect of low- dose tadalafil on the progression of diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rat model.Methods: After injection of STZ and verifying establishment of diabetes, rats were divided into 4 groups: control, diabetic-control, tadalafil-treated non-diabetic, and tadalafil-treated diabetic groups. Biochemical and hemodynamic parameters affecting the renal function such as blood glucose level, serum level of urea and creatinine, renal blood flow, urine volume, urinary albumin excretion, Na+ and K+ excretion, renal level of nitrite and nitrate, plus renal tissues antioxidant parameters (total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content) were detected 8 weeks after administration of tadalafil. Histopathological and electron microscopy examination were performed.Results: Our results demonstrated that tadalafil attenuated the glycemic, renal biochemical, microscopic and ultramicroscopic changes/injuries caused by STZ- induced diabetes. Tadalafil could effectively increase renal blood flow and ameliorate glomerular basement membrane thickening.Conclusions: From the results it can be concluded that tadalafil protects rats against streptozotocin-induced DN possibly, in part, through its effect on renal nitric oxide level and its antioxidant activity

Association of HCV with diabetes mellitus: an Egyptian case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The highest Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) prevalence in the world occurs in Egypt. Several studies from different parts of the world have found that 13% to 33% of patients with chronic HCV have associated diabetes, mostly type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM). In Egypt the prevalence of DM is 25.4% among HCV patients. Therefore, it is important to identify the magnitude of the problem of diabetes in order to optimize the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The objective of this case-control study was to evaluate the prevalence of DM and other extrahepatic (EH) manifestations among patients with different HCV morbidity stages including asymptomatic, chronic hepatic and cirrhotic patients. In this study, 289 HCV patients older than 18 were selected as cases. Also, 289 healthy controls were included. Laboratory investigations including Liver Function tests (LFT) and blood glucose level were done. Also serological assays including cryoglobulin profile, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody, HCV-PCR were performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 289 HCV cases, 40 (13.84%) were diabetic. Out of 289 healthy controls, 12 (4.15%) were diabetic. It was found that the diabetic HCV group mean age was [48.1 (± 9.2)]. Males and urbanians represented 72.5% and 85% respectively. Lower level of education was manifested in 52.5% and 87.5% were married. In the nondiabetic HCV group mean age was [40.7 (± 10.4)]. Males and urbanians represented 71.5% and 655% respectively. secondary and higher level of education was attained in 55.4% and 76.7% were married. Comparing between the diabetic HCV group and the non diabetic HCV group, age, residence and alcohol drinking were the only significant factors affecting the incidence of diabetes between the two groups. There was no significant difference regarding sonar findings although cirrhosis was more prevalent among diabetic HCV cases and the fibrosis score was higher in diabetic HCV patients than among the non diabetic HCV cases.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The diabetic patients in the HCV group were older, more likely to have a history of alcohol drinking than the non diabetic HCV cases. Age and alcohol drinking are factors that could potentially contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Logistic regression analyses showed that age and residence in urban regions were the predictive variables that could be associated with the presence of diabetes. Alcohol consumption was not a significant predictive factor.</p