A Micropuncture Study of a Dietary Induced,Hyperuricemic Model of Acute Renal Failure in the Rat

Summary

A hyperuricemic model of acute renal failure was induced in the rat by dietary means. Powdered rat chow supplemented with 5% uric acid and 3% oxonic acid as the potassium salt was fed to the “Diet” group for 2 days. The “Control” group was pair fed powdered rat chow alone. The dietary regimen resulted in significantly elevated plasma urate concentrations and reductions in glomerular filtration rate in the diet group. The pathogenesis of the acute renal failure in diet animals was the result of at least two factors; first, tubular obstruction beyond the distal convolution indicated by significantly elevated distal intratubular pressures. These nephrons presumably did not contribute to urine formation. This observation was confirmed by the histological demonstration of uric acid deposits in the medullary collecting ducts. Second, reduced glomerular capillary pressures in the diet group resulting from changes in both pre- and post-glomerular resistances.