Effects of Salt Loading on Glomeruli in the Remnant Kidney Model

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether or not salt excess might increase systemic blood pressure, proteinuria, and progress glomerulosclerosis based on morphometric image analysis in the subtotally nephrectomized rats. Experiments were performed on twelve 6-week-old male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g. Eight rats received 5/6 nephrectomy and after surgery, these rats were divided into the following 2 groups consisting of 4 rats each: Sham-operation group was given standard water without salt to drink and salt treatment group was given 1% NaCl solution to drink for two weeks. In this remnant kidney model, salt loading was slightly effective in elevating blood pressure and induced significant increases in urinary protein excretion and urinary volume and enhanced glomerular sclerosis. The present results suggest that in the early stage of rat remnant kidney model, salt loading accelerates glomerular alterations with renal dysfunction.