Summary
This study investigates the diabetes-induced lesions in liver and kidney and in addition
the possible side effects of the diabetogenic substance streptozotocin (SR) on these
organs in non-diabetic animals. 5-week-old female Wistar rats were injected 65 or
130 mg SR/kg body mass. Some animals of the drug group did not become hyperglycemie;
thus it was possible to separate the drug effect from the diabetic influence on liver
and kidney. In serum investigations some metabolio changes concerning the activities
of the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, alanine amino-transferase, alkaline
phosphatase and the concentrations of urea and creatinine up to 30 days after drug
application were studied. SR in hyperglycemic animals causes a time and dose dependent
rise in all investigated parameters. Also in normoglycemic rats a significant increase
in alkaline phosphatase and in creatinine was observed after 10 days. After 21 and
30 days there were no differences compared to untreated control rats, whereas elevated
levels were observed in the hyperglycemic rats.
Thus our results support the view of a short damaging effect of SR on liver and kidney
without inducing a diabetic state; in hyperglycemic rats the damaging effect is more
pronounced.
Key words
Streptozotocin - Transaminases - Creatinine - Urea - Rat
