Functional state of rat kidneys under the conditions of acetaminophen-induced injury on the background of alimentary deprivation of protein

Abstract

The article explores the functional state of kidneys in animals with acetaminophen-induced intoxication, which were maintained under the conditions of different protein supply. The research model involved the division of animals into next equal groups: group I – rats, which were maintained on a complete semi-synthetic diet; group II – rats, which were kept on a low-protein diet; ІІІ – rats with acetaminophen-induced injury, maintained on a complete semi-synthetic diet; IV – rats with acetaminophen-induced injury, which were previously kept on the low-protein diet. It was established, that kidney function of animals, which were maintained in conditions of the alimentary deprivation of protein, was characterized by the disturbances of the filtration capacity on the background of a slight decrease in reabsorption capacity. It is evidenced by a minor increase in GGT activity and urine Na+ level, along with significant proteinuria against the background of GFR reduction and preservation of plasma creatinine level. In animals with acetaminophen-induced injury, an increase in GGT activity, urine Na+ level and proteinuria in the absence of GFR and plasma creatinine changes, indicates the primary damage to renal tubular cells, while maintaining the filtration capacity of the kidney. The most significant changes in the filtration capacity of kidney were recorded in animals receiving toxic doses of acetaminophen on the background of alimentary deficiency of protein: a significant increase in plasma creatinine on the background of a 4-fold decrease in glomerular filtration. Proteinuria, increased γ-glutamyltransferase activity, and an increase in urine Na+ level indicates the damage to tubular cells and impaired renal reabsorption capacity. The conclusion was made, that lack of protein in the diet is a factor leading to a worsening of kidney dysfunction in animals with acetaminophen-induced intoxication since under those conditions disturbances of both filtration and reabsorption capacity of the kidney are observed.