Increased Metabolic Stress in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rat Kidney and Pancreas

Obesity and diabetes (hereafter termed diabesity) are among the most challenging global health problems. Since the main pathophysiological complications in diabesity are hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, and urinary infections, the kidney and pancreas are the potential target organs affected in the above conditions. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of disease progression and complications are still unclear. The Zucker homozygous (FA/FA) diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat is a genetic model for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Our previous studies, using cardiac muscles have demonstrated metabolic and oxidative stress in ZDF rats. In the present study, our aim was to investigate oxidative stress associated metabolic complications in ZDF rat kidney and pancreas.