Abstract
The present study aimed to assess the role of subchronic cadmium exposure in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ + Cd) and normal non-diabetic rats (Cd) were exposed to cadmium sulphate in drinking water at a dose of 200 mg / l for 30 days. After 30 days of cadmium poisoning, blood and tissue samples were taken to determine markers of kidney function (urea, uric acid, creatinine, total protein and inorganic ions) and for the achievement histological couples. Cadmium poisoning resulted in an increase in relative kidney weights and a change in biochemical parameters in serum. Histopathological examination of the kidneys revealed degeneration and necrosis of the renal tubules and shrinking of the glomeruli in rats poisoned with Cd. However, our results showed that diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin are more sensitive to nephrotoxicity of cadmium than rats normal. our results suggest that cadmium may be a factor in the development of diabetic nephropathy.