Efficiency Beet Root (Beta vulgaris, L.) Juice for Improving Status of Nephropathy Diabetic Rats

Consumption of beet root juice is associated with numerous health benefits, attributed to its high content of bioactive compounds and its antioxidant capacity. Beet root is a rich source of phytochemical compounds, that includes betalain, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, flavonoids and polyphenols. The current study was performed to assess the effects of beet root juice (BJ) on gentamicin induced nephropathy in diabetic rats.  Rats were randomly divided into two main groups. The first, served as a negative control (6 rats) fed basal diet and the second group (Nephropathy Diabetic rats) fed basal diet and received a daily intraperitoneally injection of gentamicin (GM) 85 mg / kg body weight for 8 days. Then, given a single dose via intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg / kg body weight of streptozotocin (STZ). This group was reclassified divided into four groups(6 rats /each) , the first group was positive control, the second, third ˗and fourth groups were administrated a daily oral dose 5, 10 and 15 µl / g BW, respectively of beet root juice for 60 days . After the end of the experimental period, blood samples were collected for the biochemical analysis as blood and urine glucose, insulin, kidney functions, lipid profile and antioxidants of kidney tissues were performed. Results showed that nephropathy diabetic rats had elevation in blood and urine glucose levels, lipid profile, kidney functions (urea. creatinine, uric acid and blood urea nitrogen) in the serum and MDA levels with reduction in the activity of GSH.px, SOD and CAT in kidney tissues, serum total protein, albumin, globulin and insulin levels.  However, ingestion of BJ significantly reduced the levels of blood and urine glucose, lipid profile and improved the level of insulin, kidney functions and mitigated renal dysfunction and structural damages by decreasing oxidative stress in kidney tissues. Meanwhile, giving rats with 15µl/g BW of beet root juice showed the best effects through improving the previous changes to near the normal levels. In conclusion, BJ had hypoglycemic effects and can attenuate GM˗induced nephropathy.