Influence of peritoneal dialysis on the progression of chronic renal failure

To determine whether an early start of peritoneal dialysis is beneficial to the preservation of residual renal function, we studied the effect of peritoneal dialysis on the progression of glomerular sclerosis in subtotal nephrectomy rats. Four weeks after subtotal nephrectomy, Wistar rats were treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) (through a silicone catheter, two exchanges per day with 20 mL 1.5% dextrose solution per exchange for 8 weeks, n = 10). Then the kidneys were checked. The sclerosis index was significantly lower in the PD group than that of the control group, which was 1.12 +/- 0.13, 1.64 +/- 0.19, respectively (p < 0.05). This suggests that peritoneal dialysis may suppress the progression of chronic renal failure. An early start of PD may benefit the preservation of renal function in uremic patients.