The influence of rutin on the extracellular matrix in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat kidney

We previously reported that rutin administration to streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats decreased plasma glucose and increased plasma insulin levels. In this study, we have examined the role of rutin on matrix remodelling in the kidney of STZ‐induced diabetic rats. STZ was administered intraperitoneally (50 mg kg−1) to male albino Wistar rats to induce experimental diabetes. Rutin (100 mg kg−1) was orally administered to normal and STZ‐induced diabetic rats for a period of 45 days and its influence on the content of hydroxyproline and collagen and on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were studied. We have also studied the levels of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the kidney. STZ‐induced diabetic control rats showed increased content of hydroxyproline and collagen, decreased activity of MMPs and increased levels of TIMPs in the kidney. These changes were positively modulated by rutin treatment in STZ‐induced diabetic rats, thereby protecting the kidney. In normal rats treated with rutin, none of the parameters studied were significantly altered. From the results obtained, we could conclude that rutin influences MMPs and effectively protects kidney against STZ‐induced damage in rats. The effects observed are due to the reduction of plasma glucose levels by rutin.