L-Lysine Ameliorates Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Mellitus

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease worldwide. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia and subsequent production of glycation end-products activate the paths which lead to diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of L-lysine on antioxidant capacity, biochemical factors, kidney function, HSP70 level, and the expression of the TGFβ, VEGF, and RAGE genes in rats with streptozocin-induced diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to four eight-rat groups, namely, a healthy group, a diabetic group treated with vehicle (DM + vehicle), a diabetic group treated with L-lysine (DM + Lys), and a healthy group treated with L-lysine (healthy + Lys). Rats in the DM + Lys and the healthy + Lys groups were treated with L-lysine 0.15%. The levels of fasting blood glucose, insulin, HbA(1C), advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), lipid profile, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, glomerular filtration rate, urine microalbumin, oxidative stress parameters, kidney histology and morphology, and TGFβ, VEGF, and RAGE gene expressions were assessed. Findings. An eight-week treatment with L-lysine significantly reduced the levels of fasting blood glucose, AGEs, kidney function parameters, oxidative stress parameters, lipid profile, and the TGFβ, VEGF, and RAGE gene expression and significantly increased the levels of serum insulin and tissue HSP70. CONCLUSION: Treatment with L-lysine seems to slow down the progression of diabetic nephropathy.