Possible Nephroprotective Role of Bee Venom in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Adult Male Albino Rat: A histological, Immunohistochemical and Biochemical study

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health issue in Egypt. The frequency of diabetic nephropathy is exclusively associated with the higher mortality risk from DM. Bee venom (BV) is known to be an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agent.Aim of the work: The purpose of our study was to appraise BV preventive impact on the renal structure of male adult albino rats with diabetic nephropathy, a histological and immunohistochemical study.Materials and methods: Thirty adult male albino rats (250–300 g) were divided into Group I (18 rats), further split into three subgroups (n=6 each): IA (untreated), IB (single i.p. citrate buffer dose equivalent to drug solvent), and IC (BV 0.05 mg/kg i.p., thrice weekly for four weeks. Group II (STZ group): Six rats fasted overnight and were given a single i.p. injection of STZ (55 mg/kg). Group III (STZ + BV): Six rats received a single i.p. STZ dose (55 mg/kg, as in Group II), confirmed for DM, followed by BV (0.05 mg/kg i.p., 3×/week) for four weeks. After 4 weeks the rats were sacrificed, and the kidneys were processed for light microscopic study. Hx&E, PAS & MTC stains were used for paraffin sections and toluidine blue stain for the semithin sections. Morphometric study and statistical analysis were done for some parameters.Results: BV-treated rat kidneys exhibited maintained structural integrity of both glomeruli and tubules, displaying only slight tubular alterations (including sparse vacuoles and attenuated epithelial lining cells and minimal inflammation. Bowman's capsule parietal layer and renal tubules exhibited diminished PAS staining and distinct brush border of proximal tubules retained. MTC analysis indicated reduced collagen fiber deposition, with decreased apoptosis and inflammatory infiltration.Conclusion: BV protected against renal structural damage in adult albino rats with induced diabetic nephropathy..