Prevention of acute renal failure by diuretics

Experiments were performed on 26 rats to evaluate the effect of furosemide and muzolimine in an experimental model of acute renal failure (ARF). After control clearance measurements from both the left and the right kidney, an acute hydronephrosis was produced on the left side only, to completely interrupt urine flow rate. At the 17th minute of stop-flow, placebo (4 animals), furosemide (4 mg i.v. in 5 animals) or muzolimine (1.2 mg i.v. in 5 rats) were injected and three minutes later the renal arteries were clamped bilaterally for 20 minutes. The arterial clamps and the left hydronephrosis were removed at the 20th minute of ischemia and then 5 consecutive clearance periods were performed from either side to assess recovery from post-ischemic ARF. There was no difference in the entity of GFR depression and speed of recovery of either kidney between placebo, muzolimine and furosemide. The left, post-hydronephrotic kidney consistently exhibited a post-ischemic renal function more depressed than that measured in the contralateral side, although the speed of recovery was the same. The ATP content of the renal tissue was significantly larger in the right kidney compared to the contralateral side in the group receiving furosemide. In the animals treated with muzolimine ATP was significantly depressed in both kidneys. In the post-ischemic period the urinary Na excretion and the fractional water excretion rose significantly with either diuretic compared to placebo. However, this did not influence the recovery in GFR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)