Impairment of renal function in rats with generalized lipidosis as induced by chlorphentermine

The purpose of this work was to study the impact of experimentally induced lipidosis upon renal function. Rats were orally treated up to 12 weeks with the anorectic drug chlorphentermine at dosages of 20 and 50 mg/kg, respectively. During the course of treatments the following parameters were determined: plasma urea level, creatinine clearance, ability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine after acute deprivation of drinking water, and to dilute the urine after acute water load. Morphological examination confirmed generalized lipidosis affecting kidney and many other organs. Chronic treatments with both drug dosages caused a rise of plasma urea level. Treatment with the high dosage caused a significant reduction of creatinine clearance and significant impairment of both abilities to concentrate and to dilute the urine. The findings demonstrate that serve generalized lipidosis as induced by high doses of chlorphentermine is associated with significant impairment of renal function.