The pyridoindole antioxidant stobadine attenuates histochemical changes in kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with the pyridoindole antioxidant stobadine on histochemical parameters in kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic male Wistar rats were fed a standard diet or a diet supplemented with stobadine (0.05% w/w) for 24 weeks. The diabetic state was characterized by significantly elevated plasma levels of glucose and glycated hemoglobin, severe reduction of total body weight and relatively enlarged kidneys. Kidney alkaline phosphatase activity was not changed by diabetes. Activity of 5'-nucleotidase, K(+)-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase, ATPase and mitochondrial succinic dehydrogenase were markedly decreased in kidneys of diabetic rats. In contrast, activity of beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase was moderately increased in kidney of diabetic rats as compared to controls. Long-term treatment of diabetic animals with stobadine attenuated histochemical changes in kidney tissue.