The effect of high fructose intake on renal morphology and renal function in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 2-week fructose feeding on plasma lipids renal function and morphology in the rats. Pair-fed rats were kept individually in metabolic cages for two weeks and given diet containing either 25% fructose or 25% starch (weight/weight). After that time under Nembutal anesthesia blood pressure was measured intra-arterially and blood was withdrawn for cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin, glucose and 24hrs urine was collected to estimate creatinine clearance. At the end of experiment kidneys were removed and fixed for microscopic examination. Creatinine clearance was higher by 15% (p < 0,01) in fructose fed rats and microscopic examination revealed moderate mesangial cells proliferation in animals of the same group. No statistical significant difference was observed with regard to lipids or glucose and insulin between two groups. Our study suggest that fructose feeding is associated with hyperfiltration and hyperplasia of mesangial cells in glomeruli.