Effects of oral adsorbent in the rat model of chronic renal failure

The effects of oral adsorbent, AST-120 (Kureha Chemical Ind. Co., Tokyo), were studied in the rat model of subtotal nephrectomy. In 34 female Sprague-Dawley rats, three quarters of the renal mass were removed from the left kidney by ligation of 3 branches of the left renal artery. One week later, the right kidney was removed. Two days after right nephrectomy, control rats were fed standard rat chow ad libitum, while AST-120-treated rats were fed standard rat chow containing AST-120 ad libitum. The animals were observed for 9 weeks. Of the control rats, some became severely ill and appeared to be almost dying before 9 weeks, while paired AST-120-treated rats appeared well. Body weight was maintained better in AST-120-treated rats than in control rats. At completion of the study, levels of BUN and serum creatinine were lower and glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow rate were higher in AST-120-treated than in control rats (p < 0.05), although there was no statistically significant difference in proteinuria. Serum uremic peak 2a measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, which is considered to correspond to uremic toxins, was statistically lower in AST-120-treated rats (p < 0.05). Finally, a marked reduction in the degree of glomerular sclerosis was noted in AST-120-treated versus control rats (p < 0.05). The results indicate that AST-120 is effective in the treatment of chronic renal failure in terms of reducing uremic symptoms as well as preserving renal function and glomerular architecture. The data also indicate that a reduction in uremic toxins could delay the progressive damage of renal function and glomerular architecture in chronic renal failure.