Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common complication among type II
diabetic patients which may lead to end stage renal disease. Oxidative stress has been
found to play a part in the pathophysiology of DN. Several studies have demonstrated
the effective nephroprotective role of vitamin D to counteract the progression of DN,
although the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Adropin release has been
recently linked to be one of the vitamin D effects and was reported to exert its
antioxidant effects via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).Aim: To
examine the nephroprotective effects of Vitamin D focusing on adropin-Nrf2 axis as one
of the possible underlying mechanisms of vitamin D in rats. Materials and Methods:
Thirty two albino male adult rats were used in this experiment. Rats were randomly and
equally divided into four groups:(GI) was the control, (GII) received vitamin D, (GIII)
was the diabetic model, and (GIV) was the diabetes+ vitamin D group. Results: Rats
that received vitamin D (0.03 µg/kg/day) for 8 weeks revealed significant lower insulin
resistance and oxidative stress state, a significant improvement of kidney dysfunction
that was confirmed with histopathological examinations for kidney, and significantly
higher levels of serum adropin in association with a significant higher renal mRNA
expression of Nrf2. Conclusion: Vitamin D administration has a renoprotective effect in
DN in type II diabetic rats. The antioxidant effects of vitamin D may be in part related to
the adropin- Nrf2 axis.