Experimental Production of Nephrotic Syndrome Following Renal Vein Constriction in Rats.

Abstract

Among 41 albino rats subjected to partial occlusion of left renal vein with subsequent contralateral nephrectomy, 8 developed severe proteinuria and hypercholesterolemia, while 4 had also ascites and hypoalbuminemia. The kidneys were pale, with histological changes limited to glomeruli. These consisted of simplification of tufts, with coalescence, fraying and thickening of basement membranes. This technique requires further standardization, but seems to reproduce the clinical syndrome associated with renal venous thrombosis. To elicit the syndrome, venous occlusion must be incomplete and involve all functioning renal tissue.