A Sodium Oxalate-Rich Diet Induces Chronic Kidney Disease and Cardiac Dysfunction in Rats

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Animal Models
• Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 14% of the global population.
• Limited animal models exist for studying CKD pathophysiology and complications.
• Novel models are crucial for advancing CKD research and therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a convenient and non-invasive rat model for inducing stable CKD.
• To assess the efficacy of a sodium oxalate (OXA) diet in recapitulating CKD and its systemic complications.
• To evaluate the potential of this model for preclinical research into CKD mechanisms and treatments.

Main Methods:

• Rats were fed a diet rich in sodium oxalate (OXA diet) for three weeks.
• Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), blood urea levels, and proteinuria were measured.
• Histological analyses assessed kidney damage, including cortical disorganization, tubular atrophy, and fibrosis.
• Blood pressure, hematocrit, and cardiac function were evaluated to identify systemic complications.

Main Results:

• The OXA diet induced a stable CKD model with a 60% GFR reduction, elevated blood urea, and proteinuria.
• Histology confirmed significant kidney damage, including fibrosis and tubular atrophy.
• The model exhibited classical CKD complications: hypertension, reduced hematocrit, and cardiac dysfunction.
• A one-week OXA diet showed GFR changes but not stable CKD.

Conclusions:

• A three-week sodium oxalate diet effectively induces a stable rat model of CKD and its complications.
• This model avoids kidney mass loss and acute toxicity, making it suitable for research.
• The developed model holds significant potential for investigating CKD mechanisms and testing novel therapeutic strategies.
• This research may aid in delaying the need for dialysis or transplantation in CKD patients.