Effect of lovastatin on the development of polycystic kidney disease in the Han:SPRD rat

Proliferation of tubular epithelial cells is a major element leading to cyst formation in Han:SPRD rats with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD). ras proteins are important in the control of renal cell proliferation, and ras gene expression is increased in PKD. Farnesyl pyrophosphate, an intermediate in the conversion of acetyl-CoA to cholesterol, is required for the activation of ras guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins that are important in the execution of several cellular functions, including cell proliferation. 3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, such as lovastatin, reduce farnesyl production in responsive cells and thereby have potential for ameliorating the accelerated epithelial cell proliferation of PKD. We administered lovastatin to heterozygous (Cy/+) Han:SPRD rats (4 mg/kg/d subcutaneously) from age 4 to 10 weeks, a period of rapid cystic disease progression in these animals. Untreated male Cy/+ rats developed larger cystic kidneys and had more severe renal functional impairment than females, as reported previously. In males, lovastatin significantly decreased cystic kidney size (referenced to body weight), the volume density of cysts, and the serum urea nitrogen level 14.5%, 24.4%, and 25.6/%, respectively. The corresponding changes in females were insignificant, and lovastatin had no effect on kidney weight or serum urea nitrogen in homozygous (+/+) normal male animals. On the basis of these results we conclude that lovastatin diminishes the severity of PKD in heterozygous male Han:SPRD rats.