Evaluation of renal function in saccharin treated rats

Renal function and transport have been examined in male and female rats at various times during a 6-month exposure to sodium saccharin. The animals were maintained on special diets containing 0%, 1%, 5% or 7.5% sodium saccharin. Developmental patterns for renal transport and renal function in the control animals were normal. The 5% and 7.5% concentrations of saccharin caused a reduction in the renal slice steady-stable accumulation of p-aminohippurate (PAH) and tetraethylammonium (TEA) which became significant after the animals were 30 days of age or older. Enhanced sodium excretion was observed in every age group of animals tested when these animals consumed sodium saccharin concentrations greater than or equal to 1% in the diet. At 60 days of age, increased urine volume, a decrease in urine osmolality, and increased potassium excretion were also found. All effects of saccharin on renal function and transport were promptly and completely reversible when the animals were removed from the saccharin diet for as little as 24 h. The effects of saccharin on PAH transport apparently were attributable to competitive inhibition. Although effects on TEA transport and other renal function parameters were not defined as to mechanism, the effects were as readily reversible as those on PAH when saccharin was removed from the diet.