The effects of Enalapril and Irbesartan in experimental diabetic nephropathy

In our study we investigated the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and Angiotensin T, receptor blocker at low-doses which do not affect blood pressure and renal hemodynamia on the experimental diabetic nephropathy. Diabetes mellitus was induced by 50 mg/kg streptozotocin on Sprague-Dawley rats. Except for the patient control group, 2.5 mg/kg Enalapril (an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) and 5 mg/kg Irbesartan (an Angiotensin T, receptor blocker) were given everyday via drinking water during six weeks period. After 24-hour urine collection, blood was withdrawn by cardiac puncture, and rats were sacrificed. Renal functions, histopathologic and electron microscopic alterations in renal tissues, and relative percent deposition of type IV Collagen were investigated. Diabetic nephropathy was determined with the increase of plasma glucose, HbA(9)C (P< 0. 000), urea, creatinin (P<0.005) and urinary protein, albumin, glucose (P<0. 000) inpatient control and Enalapril and Irbesartan treatment groups when compared to the healthy control group. Mesangiocellular proliferation, tubular basement membrane thickness, percentage of glomerular collagen accumulation reduced in treatment groups and glucose in urine in Enalapril group declined. Our findings suggest that renal protective effects of Enalapril and Irbesartan in the development of diabetic nephropathy were comparable.