Comparative Effects of Antidiabetic Drug, Metformin and Deferoxamine, on the Hepatotoxic and Nephrotoxic Side Effects of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

Aims: The present study compared the effects of metformin (met) and deferoxamine (DFX) on the hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic side effects of streptozotocin experimental diabetes in rats using serum biochemical and histopathological indicators.
Study Design: Following induction of diabetes, animals were randomly and evenly distributed into four groups A, B, C and D of six rats each (n=6). Experimental diabetes was induced in overnight fasted rats by a single dose i.p each of nicotinamide and, 15min after, STZ followed by administration of the antidiabetic drug, met (os, 250mg/kgb.wt) and iron chelating drug, DFX (i.p,150mg/kgb.wt), daily for 14 days. Blood and histological samples were collected and prepared for biochemical and histopathological analysis of indicators of cytotoxic side effects.
Results: STZ caused cytotoxic effects on the liver and kidney of experimental rats, indicative of cellular leakage and loss of the functional integrity of the cell membranes. Metformin and deferoxamine both effectively reversed the hepatotoxic side effects of STZ-induced diabetes as determined by serum activities of ALP, AST and ALT and histopathological presentation. However, whereas metformin effectively reversed the STZ induced side effects on the kidney as determined by serum creatinine level and histopathological indicators, DFX did not.
Conclusion: It is concluded that metformin has a markedly higher potency than DFX in mitigation of hepatic and renal tissue derangement, as determined by both serum biomarkers and tissue histology.