Physiological and histopathological analysis of nephro-protective effects of lactoferrin in diabetic rats

Background: Lactoferrin (Lf) has several actions that are interceded through different cell receptors. It was proven to have antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and immunomodulating properties. Therefore, this current study aims to explain the protective effect of bovine lactoferrin (bLf) on kidney function and histopathology and the role of nitric oxide. Methods: In this investigation, 60 adult male rats were used, and fifty of them were used to induce diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Forty animals whose blood glucose levels exceeded 300 mg/dL were classified as diabetic. Rats (10 normal + 40 diabetics) were left for about a month without treatment. Experimental rats were arranged into 5 exploratory groups; Control, diabetes, (diabetes + insulin), (diabetes + lactoferrin), and (diabetes + insulin + lactoferrin). After 45 days of treatment, blood was collected for the determination of glucose, urea, creatinine, and uric acid. A urine sample was also collected to estimate creatinine clearance, microalbumin, nitric oxide, sodium, and potassium levels. kidney tissue samples were taken from all rats in each experiment and used to estimate nitric oxide levels and histopathological examination. Results: The results revealed the protective effect of lactoferrin against diabetic nephropathy in rats through biochemical and morphological confirmations, including lowered rates of blood and urine indices, and an increase in renal nitric oxide levels as compared with untreated diabetic rats or those treated with insulin alone. Conclusion: There was a clear improvement in the kidney function as well as in the renal histology of rats treated with (insulin + lactoferrin) compared to those treated with insulin alone. This suggests a potential protective role of Lf in diabetic kidneys, which could operate through its biological activities, such as its anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions.