Isolated nephron segments in a rabbit model of ischemic acute renal failure

Renal artery occlusion has been extensively used in animal models to cause acute renal failure. The present isolated tubule microperfusion studies were designed to examine the transport characteristics of multiple nephron segments of the rabbit after 60 min of total renal ischemia. Preliminary studies showed that this maneuver produced significant and persistent elevations of serum creatinine. The tubules were perfused and bathed with artificial solutions simulating ultrafiltrate and studied at 37 degrees C. Four nephron segments were examined. Ischemia reduced proximal convoluted tubule fluid reabsorption 77% (0.72 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.14 +/- 0.06 nl . mm-1 . min-1, P less than 0.01) and cortical proximal straight tubule fluid reabsorption 88% (0.54 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.06 +/- 0.03 nl . mm-1 . min-1, P less than 0.005). Ischemia reduced the ability of the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop to lower perfusate chloride ion concentration 60% (-47 +/- 9 vs. -19 +/- 3 meq/liter, P less than 0.02) and its diluting ability 49% (-87 +/- 15 vs. -44 +/- 7 mosmol/kg H2O, P less than 0.01). Ischemia reduced the antidiuretic hormone-dependent osmotic water permeability of the cortical collecting tubule 59% (0.0203 +/- vs. 0.0083 +/- 0.0020 cm/s, P less than 0.01). Morphologic alterations were noted in the proximal segments but not in the distal segments of the nephron. The current studies demonstrate that 60 min of renal ischemia impairs the transport capability of all proximal and distal nephron segments studied.