Animal models nephron

Under normal conditions, GFR is submaximal because adaptive increases in single nephron GFR follow loss of damaged nephrons. Sensitized animal models that mimic risk factors commonly found in patients with drug-induced acute renal failure are advisable. This need should stimulate research in the field of safety pharmacology. The choice of the species, strain, and sex of test animals should take into account physiological and/or pharmacotoxicological specificities. 

Advantages of in vitro models include the ability to carefully modulate exposure conditions and dissect mechanisms of action. Unlike studies in laboratory animals, in vitro models enable the use of paired controls and treated samples from the same set of incubations. Another advantage specifically for studies of renal function and nephrotoxicity is that in vitro models can be constructed that derive from specific nephron segments, thereby allowing study of effects at the specific sites in the kidneys where they occur. 

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