Renoprotective effect of liraglutide on diabetic nephropathy by modulation of Krüppel-like transcription factor 5 expression in rats

Abstract Objectives Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious consequence of diabetes that can develop through the lysophosphatidic acid axis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the antidiabetic drug liraglutide can slow the development of diabetic kidney damage by altering the lysophosphatidic acid axis via KLF5. Methods Wistar albino rats were divided into nondiabetic and diabetic rats (resulting from an intraperitoneal streptozotocin dose of 30 mg/kg and a high-fat diet). These rats were further divided into four groups: nondiabetic control, liraglutide-treated nondiabetic, diabetic control, and liraglutide-treated diabetic. The nondiabetic and diabetic control groups received normal saline for 42 days, while the liraglutide-treated nondiabetic and diabetic groups received normal saline for 21 days, followed by a subcutaneous dose of liraglutide (200 μg/kg/day) for 21 days. Subsequently, serum levels of DN biomarkers were evaluated, and kidney tissues were histologically examined. The protein expression of PCNA, autotaxin, and KLF5 was detected. Key findings Liraglutide treatment in diabetic rats decreased DN biomarkers, histological abnormalities in kidney tissues, and the protein expression of PCNA, autotaxin, and KLF5. Conclusion Liraglutide can slow the progression of DN by modulating KLF5-related lysophosphatidic acid axis. Thus, liraglutide may be an effective treatment for preventing or mitigating diabetes-related kidney damage.