Renal function, rabbit

Significant increases in serum urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels (which may be indicative of impaired renal function) were observed in Pasteurella-infected rabbits exposed to 2,875 or 5,750 mg/kg/day of Fyrquel 220 for an intermediate duration (MacEwen and Vemot 1983). The results of the histological examination were not reported, and the renal effects of the infection were not discussed. 

The more basic interactions between piperacillin and methotrexate and its major metabolite 7-hydroxymetho-trexate have been stndied in rabbits (255). The interaction was mainly cansed by rednced renal clearance of both methotrexate and its metabolite. The anthors concluded that renal function in patients taking this combination should be monitored, with adequate fluid intake, especially in elderly patients, because dehydration may accelerate the occurrence of toxicity. 

Early experimental studies of pentamidine renal toxicity in animals were limited to few sheep, goats [170] and rabbits [171] given rather large doses of pentamidine (up to 40 mg/kg). The results of these studies, although indicating some degree of renal toxicity, are difficult to interpret because of the small number of animals employed, the large doses of pentamidine used, and the absence of controls or detailed renal function studies. 

Cramer B, Husa L. Pushpanathan C Nephrocalcinosis in rabbits - Correlation of ultrasound, computed tomography, pathology and renal function. Pediatr Radiol 1998 28 9-13. 

Dimaline R, Peart WS, Unwin RJ, Effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on renal function and plasma renin activity in the conscious rabbit. /. Physiol. 1983, 344, 379-388. 

A decrease in prostaglandin synthesis during ARF was shown in early studies . In both haemodynamic (glycerol) and nephrotoxic (mercuric chloride) rabbit models of ARF, whole kidney PGE2 levels were increased. There is also evidence for a protective effect of PGE2 in haemodynamically mediated (norepinephrine-induced) ARF ". Furosemide, which stimulates prostaglandin production has a protective effect on renal function in some models of ARF if administered prophylactically , whereas it is of no benefit in nephrotoxic models . The beneficial effect may depend upon a combination of factors, including increased solute excretion and vasodilation however, furosemide action at other nephron and vascular sites may explain this salutary effect. 

In two kidney-one clip hypertensive rabbits without significant impairment of renal function, treatment with indomethacin for 10 days is without effect on blood pressure although it reduces plasma renin activity . In contrast, in two kidney-one clip hypertensive rabbits having high plasma renin activity and depressed renal haemodynamics, chronic treatment with indomethacin aggravates both the hypertension and the renal function impairment . In the latter study, plasma renin activity, which initially was reduced by indomethacin, returned on subsequent days to pretreatment levels pari passu with the increase in blood pressure and the deterioration of renal function . Chronic indomethacin treatment also exacerbates the hypertension, and depresses renal excretory function, in rats with two kidney-one clip hypertension . However, short-term treatment with indomethacin lowers blood pressure, associated with reduction of plasma renin activity, in rats with two clip—one kidney hypertension . Indomethacin also produces correlated decrements of blood pressure and plasma renin activity in rats made hypertensive by complete ligation of the aorta between the renal arteries . In contrast, shortterm treatment with indomethacin or meclofenamate is without effect on blood pressure in dogs with two kidney—one clip hypertension . 

No adverse effects were observed in rabbits orally administered CS-B414 at a dose of 10 g/kg daily for 3 months. No changes in blood parameters, liver or renal function, and organ weights were observed, except an increase in the weight of the testes in treated males, which was associated with a significant increase in sperm count (Huang et al. 1987). 

Renal action. Angiotensin acts on renal function modifying pressure in renal artery and tubular reabsorption of sodium (26,41). Effect on diuresis is variable in different animals. In the rabbit or rat, diuresis and increased excretion of electrolytes are the rule (34, 35). In normal man, intravenous infusion produces an antidiuresis and a reduction in excretion of electrolytes (6, 9). On the contrary, in man with hypertension, angiotensin causes diuresis with natriuresis (8), This difference suggests that in normal man, angiotensin exerts a powerful effect on renal vessels so that the direct tubular action would be masked. 

Affonso FS, Cailleaux S, Pinto LFC, Gomes MB, Tibirica E. Effects of high glucose concentrations on the endothelial function of the renal microcirculation of rabbit. Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia 2003, 18, 156-165. 

---