The calcium channel blocker nitrendipine attenuates renal and glomerular hypertrophy in diabetic rats

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Published on: June 10, 2015

B Nielsen1, H Gronbaek, R Osterby

  • 1Institute of Experimental Clinical Research, M-Laboratory II, University Institute of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. BirgitteNielsen@dadlnet.dk

Experimental Nephrology
|June 3, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Nitrendipine, a calcium channel blocker, effectively reduced kidney and glomerular hypertrophy in diabetic rats. This treatment showed a trend towards lowering urinary albumin excretion without impacting blood pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Pharmacology
  • Diabetology

Background:

  • Diabetic nephropathy is a major complication of diabetes, characterized by renal hypertrophy and increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE).
  • Early intervention is crucial to mitigate kidney damage in diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of the calcium channel blocker nitrendipine in preventing early renal and glomerular hypertrophy and increased UAE in experimental diabetes.
  • To assess the impact of nitrendipine on systemic blood pressure and metabolic control in diabetic rats.

Main Methods:

  • Female Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: diabetic and non-diabetic, treated with either placebo or nitrendipine (250 mg/kg) in the diet for 8 weeks.
  • Kidney weight, glomerular hypertrophy, UAE, systemic blood pressure, and metabolic control parameters were measured.

Main Results:

  • Diabetic rats exhibited significant renal and glomerular hypertrophy compared to non-diabetic controls.
  • Nitrendipine treatment significantly reduced renal and glomerular hypertrophy in diabetic rats (p < 0.05).
  • UAE remained stable in nitrendipine-treated diabetic rats, while it increased steadily in placebo-treated diabetic rats (p < 0.05). No significant differences in blood pressure were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Nitrendipine administration effectively inhibited renal and glomerular hypertrophy in diabetic rats.
  • Nitrendipine showed a tendency to reduce UAE in diabetic rats (p = 0.06) without affecting metabolic control or systemic blood pressure.
  • These findings suggest a potential renoprotective role for nitrendipine in early experimental diabetic nephropathy.

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