Prostaglandins cell culture models

Studies of the pathophysiology of acute renal failure has classically considered both tubular and vascular mechanisms [227,228]. In vitro techniques isolating either the vascular or tubular components have been developed. For example, the use of isolated proximal tubules in suspension or in culture allows the study of tubular mechanisms of injury in the absence of vascular factors [229] [230]. There are both in vitro and in vivo models to study vascular injury in the kidney. In vitro models include the study of vascular smooth muscle cells or endothelial cells in culture. In this section, the in vivo methods to evaluate the renal micro-circulation will be discussed. This is of relevance as many nephrotoxins exert their deleterious effects through pharmacologic actions on the resistance vasculature with parenchymal injury occurring as a consequence of ischemia. In clinical practice nephrotoxins may cause prerenal azotemia as a result of increased renal vascular resistance. Nephrotoxins that cause acute renal failure on a vascular basis include prostaglandin inhibitors e.g. aspirin, non-steroidal anti-... 

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