Pharmacologic preservation of renal mass and function in obstructive uropathy

Unilateral ureteral obstruction for 1, 2 and 3 week intervals in rats resulted in a significant loss of renal mass and function as measured 3 months following relief of the obstruction. Inhibition of angiotensin II production by the administration of captopril during the period of obstruction resulted in significant preservation of both renal mass and function. Inhibition of the prostaglandin-thromboxane system with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor. indomethacin, resulted in a lesser degree of preservation of renal function, but had no beneficial effect on renal mass. These experiments suggest that the renin-angiotensin and prostaglandin-thromboxane systems play a significant role in the loss of renal function from obstructive uropathy. Moreover, they demonstrate that renal function is better maintained if these hormonal systems are pharmacologically inhibited during obstruction.