Objetive: To investigate the effects of sodium ferulate (SF) on the activity of renal antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rats. Methods: The diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ) were treated with SF (110mg/kg) per day for 8 weeks. The renal weight/body weight

blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

serum and urinary creatinine

clearance rate of creatinine (Ccr)

proteinuria

the fructosamine (FMN) in serum and the antioxidant enzymes

including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum and renal cortex were measured. The malondialdehyde (MDA) in renal cortex and serum were also measured. Results: The levels of BUN

serum creatinine(Scr)

Ccr

proteinuria and the FMN in serum

renal weight/body weight in the group of treatment were significantly lower than those in diabetic control group. In the diabetic control group

there were a higher level of MDA and a lower activity of SOD and CAT in serum and renal cortex than those in the normal control group. The abnormalities were significantly ameliorated in the group of treatment. Conclusion: Administration of SF to diabetic rats induced by STZ can ameliorate diabetic nephropathy. The benifficial effects may contribute to the reduced oxidant injury and the improvement of the activities of antioxidant enzymes in kidney.