Valproic acid ameliorates liver and kidney dysfunctions in type 2 diabetic rats

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes has been reported to impair both liver and kidney functions but the effect of valproic acid (VPA), an anti-diabetic agent, on liver and kidney dysfunctions in type 2 diabetic models is still elusive. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of VPA on selected functional parameters of liver and kidney in type 2 diabetic rats. Type 2 diabetes was induced in female Wistar rats fed on high-fat diet for 2 weeks and then by intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg body weight (bw) of streptozotocin. The nondiabetic Wistar rats were given water (normal control) while the diabetic groups were administered water (diabetic control), two doses of VPA (50 and 100 mg/kg bw) and 100 mg/kg bw metformin for 14 days. Then, the rats were sacrificed; liver, kidney and serum tissues were collected and analyzed. High-fat diet and streptozotocin significantly (p < 0.05) altered the liver to body weight ratio, kidney to body weight ratio, liver function indices, kidney function indices and enzymes’ activities in the rat liver, kidney and serum but treatment with VPA and metformin ameliorated all the effects. In conclusion, results of this study indicate that VPA ameliorates liver and kidney dysfunctions in type 2 diabetic rats.