Production of Nephrotic Syndrome in Rats by Freund's Adjuvants and Rat Kidney Suspensions.

Abstract

A severe nephrotic syndrome was noted in 20 rats given Freund''s adjuvants and a supernate of rat kidney suspension by intraperitoneal injection. When kidney tissue was replaced by liver, only 3 of 21 animals developed a much milder renal disease. Lung or muscle suspensions failed to induce proteinuria in 10 rats. In large doses (0.5 ml) Freund''s adjuvants alone produced a mild nephrotic disease in 3 of 10 rats. Even though the smaller amounts of the adjuvants usually used (0.25 ml) never produced proteinuria, slight histological alterations of the glomerular structure were frequently noted. The small amounts of rat kidney proteins used, support the interpretation that an iso- and autosensitization mechanism is at play.