Fenoldopam Treatment Improves Peripheral Insulin Sensitivity and Renal Function in STZ‐Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Dopamine and diabetes mellitus are reported to have close link between them. We have studied the effect of six‐week treatment with D₁ receptor agonist fenoldopam (1 mg/kg, i.p., daily) on glucose, lipid, and renal profile in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced (non‐insulin dependent) type 2 diabetic rats. Streptozotocin (90 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected to two day old Sprague‐Dawley pups. Streptozotocin produced hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, increase in serum urea and creatinine by the time animals were 10 week old. Treatment with fenoldopam significantly decreased serum glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, creatinine, and blood pressure. During oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), diabetic rats showed increase in AUC_glucose and AUC_insulin. Fenoldopam significantly decreased AUC_glucose in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats showed lower insulin sensitivity index (K_ITT) that was significantly increased by treatment with fenoldopam in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats showed decrease in urinary sodium. Fenoldopam treatment significantly increased urine output as well as urinary sodium indicating reduced sodium retention. Our data indicates fenoldopam treatment improves peripheral insulin sensitivity and renal function in STZ‐induced type 2 diabetic rats.

• Fenoldopam
• Non‐insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
• Insulin sensitivity
• Renal function