Time dependency of IgA nephropathy induction in alcohol ingestion

We investigated the influence of the alcohol ingestion period on the incidence of IgA nephropathy in an animal model. A group of 41 rats received a continuous infusion of liquid diet and alcohol: "alcoholics." A further group of 41 control rats received an isocaloric diet in which the alcohol was replaced by glucose. IgA nephropathy was diagnosed by the presence of intense IgA deposition in the mesangium. At 6 weeks, 60% of the alcoholic rats had IgA nephropathy. The incidence increased until 100% of the alcoholic rats presented the renal disease at 16 weeks. IgA nephropathy was not found in any of the control animals. We conclude that, in this animal model, the incidence of IgA nephropathy is dependent on the time frame of the alcohol ingestion.