[Experimental models of polycystic kidney disease]

An overview of actually accepted hypothesis of etiology and pathogenesis as well as overview of experimentally induced models of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is presented. Though chemically induced renal cysts in rats and other small laboratory animals fed by antioxidants (diphenylamine and s.o.) represent the commonest experimental model, strains of animals with inherited cystic kidney disease were inbred too. Experimental works on tissue cultures derived from patients with ADPKD, which are aimed especially on study of epithelial changes (epithelial hyperplasia and s.o.), deserved special attention. On conclusion, advantages of the different models and next steps necessary to accomplish for understanding etiology and pathogenesis of ADPKD are indicated.