LAUSR

Introduction: The small intestine exhibits morphological and functional changes in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. This study was carried out to clarify the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in ameliorating the histopathological changes and the oxidative stress in small intestine of the diabetic rats. Material and Methods: For this purpose, 40 adult male Swiss albino rats (Sprague dawley strain)were divided into 4 groups (10 animals in each group); the control group, GABA treated group, the diabetic group and the fourth group was subjected to induction of diabetes and GABA treatment. All animals were sacrificed and specimens from jejunum were removed and processed for the histopathological examinations, cytomorphometric analysis and oxidative stress assessment. Results: In diabetic rats, Jejunal sections from the diabetic rats exhibited pleomorphism of villi, inflammatory cellular infiltration and edema in the villous core with lymphoid hyperplasia, an increase in goblet cells number was also observed with disappearance of Paneth cells or they were degranulated, increased crypt numbers and mucosal height and increased thickness of muscularis layer. Moreover, there was an increase in the oxidant biomarkers with decline in the antioxidant enzymes in Jejunal sections of the diabetic rats. Conclusion: Treatment of rats with GABA ameliorated the observed histopathological alterations, morphometric changes and improved the oxidant/ antioxidant statusof the jejunum in diabetic rats. Based on these results, it was concluded that GABA administration to rats ameliorated diabetes-induced jejunal histopathological and biochemical alterations.