Characterization of 5-HT Receptors in the Kidneys of Type I Diabetic Rats

Diabetes Mellitus commonly known as diabetes, is an epidemic in the United States accounting for numerous deaths due to complications each year. These complications include hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney failure, and many others. Diabetes also leads to a decrease in the quality of life for millions of patients every year because of amputations, daily injections of medication, daily monitoring of blood sugar levels, impaired wound healing, and fatigue. There is still no effective cure for diabetes and treatment options are extremely limited. We investigated the potential role of elevated levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, Serotonin) and its receptors observed in the plasma and kidney tissue of Type I diabetic rats. Hopefully by understanding these elevations and their physiological implications, we will be able to create better clinical treatments. These treatments will have a variety of impacts on both a clinical and economical level. It is important to use an intact physiological system in order to see the timing of when damage actually appears and to mimic the events in the intact organisms. The interconnectedness of the hormones, circulatory system, kidneys, etc. cannot be mimicked by any other means of study. By better understanding the role 5-hydroxytryptamine in the kidneys and the potential resulting damage, we will hopefully be able to find a way to treat these conditions.