Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effects of Carnosine in Terms of DNA Damage in Diabetic Rat Kidney and Liver Tissues

Abstract

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic syndrome due to a relative deficiency of insulin secretion or a decrease in the sensitivity of tissues to insulin. It is known that oxidative stress plays a role in the pathophysiology of diabetes-related complications and causes DNA damage. In this study, it was aimed to examine the therapeutic effect of carnosine on DNA damage caused by diabetes on kidney and liver tissues. Material and Methods: 32 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups as control, streptozotocin (STZ), carnosine (10 mg/kg) and STZ+carnosine group. 50 mg/kg STZ was administered intraperitoneally (ip) to 16 rats. On the 3rd day after STZ administration, the blood sugar level of the animals was measured and those above 250 mg/dL were considered as diabetes. Carnosine (10 mg/kg, ip) was administered to 8 of the rats considered to have diabetes for 10 days. Blood glucose levels and body weights were measured at regular intervals. After decapitation, DNA damage was determined by Comet Assay method in obtained liver and kidney tissues. Results: It was determined that there was a decrease in body weight and an increase in blood glucose levels in the STZ group. According to the results of Comet Assay method, it was determined that there was an increase in DNA damage in kidney and liver tissues of the STZ group, and a decrease in DNA damage in the STZ+carnosine group. Conclusion: It was concluded that carnosine used as an antioxidant contributes to the reduction of DNA damage caused by diabetes in kidney and liver tissue.

Keywords

• commet assay
• diabetes mellitus
• dna damage
• streptozotocin
• carnosine