<p>This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.</p> <p>We investigated the effect of aminoguanidine (AG)
administration on GBM thickness, glomerular heparan
sulfate (HS) content, and urinary albumin and
HS excretion in diabetic rats. After induction of
diabetes, female Wistar rats were divided into 2
groups: Group AGDM (n=11) received 1g/L aminoguanidine
bicarbonate in drinking water, group DC
(n=12) was given only tap water. Control rats received
AG (group AGH, n=8) or tap water (group
HC, n=8). At the end of a period of 8 weeks,
urinary albumin and glycosaminoglycan (GAG)
excretion was detected. GBM heparan sulfate distribution
and count was determined under the electron
microscope. The AGDM group had lower
urinary albumin and GAG excretion than diabetic
controls. GBM thickness was increased in diabetic
rats compared to groups of AGDM and HC. In
AGDM group alcian blue stained particle distribution
and count in the GBM was similar to healthy
controls. In conclusion AG prevents the decrease
of anionic charged molecules in the GBM and
GBM thickening. This can be one of the mechanisms
by which AG decreases albuminuria in diabetic
rats.</p>
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Int J Exp Diabetes Res. 2001; 2(3):225-232