Aicha Mallek; Nesrine Semiane; Khadidja Mokeddem; Zineb Bellahreche; Ouahiba Sihali-Beloui & Yasmina Dahmani

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) on redox status, inflammation and renal fibrosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic gerbil. In this study 24 gerbils were divided into 4 groups: control, diabetic gerbils induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 130 mg/kg B.W), diabetic treated with 20-hydroxyecdysone (50 mg/kg B.W) and normal gerbils received 20E (50 mg/kg B.W). Our results showed a significant decrease in plasma glucose, lipids and creatinine in diabetic group treated with 20E. We also observed a decrease in renal MDA content and an increase antioxidant activities (GSH, SOD and CAT). In addition, histomorphometric and immunhistochemical analyses revealed an improvement in renal architecture and a decrease in the percentage of collagen surface area. These results indicate that 20E has a beneficial effect on kidney damage probably through its antioxidant action.

KEY WORDS: Gerbil; Diabetes; Kidney; Oxidative stress; Histopathology; 20-Hydroxyecdysone.

MALLEK, A.; SEMIANE, N.; MOKEDDEM, K.; BELLAHRECHE, Z.; SIHALI-BELOUI, O. & DAHMANI, Y. Beneficial effect of 20-hydroxyecdysone on kidney damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic gerbil. Int. J. Morphol., 43(6):2138-2146, 2025.