Effects of quail egg on kidney functions in alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats

Abstract

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus has been reported to lead to renal dysfunction. Quail egg consumption has been reported to exert curative effects in some disease conditions like diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, and asthma. This study investigated the effects of quail egg consumption on some kidney functions in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Forty male Wistar rats with an average weight of 170g were randomly divided into four groups. Groups A-Control, B-Diabetic untreated, C-Diabetic treated and D-Normal treated. Groups B and C were made diabetic with a single dose of alloxan monohydrate (100 mg/kg i.p). Raw quail egg was administered orally (5 ml/kg) to groups C and D for 14 days. Body weight and blood glucose were monitored during the study. Blood and kidney samples were obtained from animals in each group, and analyzed for total protein, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), renal malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Data were analyzed using ANOVA at P < 0.05.

Diabetic group treated with quail egg showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in SOD, decrease in body weight, blood glucose, total protein, creatinine, BUN and MDA levels when compared to diabetic untreated group. However, values of these parameters obtained from diabetic group treated with quail were comparable to control.

Quail egg consumption significantly reduced hyperglycemia, serum total protein, creatinine, BUN, MDA and increased SOD activities in alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats which suggests that it lowers blood glucose and ameliorates renal impairment in diabetes mellitus.