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The Journal of physiology1986; 380; 405-414; doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1986.sp016293

Kidney function in rats with corticomedullary nephrocalcinosis: effects of alterations in dietary calcium and magnesium.

Abstract: Single-nephron and whole-kidney function were studied in female rats with corticomedullary nephrocalcinosis, and in animals where the lesion had been prevented either by a dietary magnesium supplement or by using a diet with a calcium:phosphorus ratio in excess of 1. At the single-nephron level, rats with nephrocalcinosis had prolonged tubular fluid transit times. Proximal transit time was 19.42 +/- 1.98 (mean +/- S.E. of mean) vs. 11.58 +/- 0.19 s for controls; distal transit time was 62.64 +/- 9.16 vs. 31.50 +/- 1.03 s for controls. Although single-nephron function is altered in nephrocalcinosis, data obtained from rats in metabolism cages indicate that whole-kidney function is largely unaffected by the lesion.
Publication Date: 1986-11-01 PubMed ID: PMC3612568PubMed Central: PMC1182945DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.1986.sp016293Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research article discusses the impact of dietary changes on kidney function in female rats with corticomedullary nephrocalcinosis, finding that while the disease alters single-nephron function, it does not affect overall kidney function.

Study Methodology

  • The researchers studied the function of a single nephron (a basic structural and functional unit of the kidney) and the overall function of the whole kidney in female rats.
  • The rats had corticomedullary nephrocalcinosis, a condition characterized by calcium deposits in the kidney.
  • The research team also studied rats where nephrocalcinosis had been prevented by dietary changes, such as the addition of a magnesium supplement or a diet with a calcium to phosphorus ratio greater than 1.

Single-Nephron Functional Changes

  • The results showed that rats with nephrocalcinosis had prolonged tubular fluid transit times at the single-nephron level. Simply put, it took a longer time for fluid to travel through the tubules of the kidney in these rats.
  • The mean proximal transit time was 19.42 seconds compared to 11.58 seconds in control rats.
  • The mean distal transit time was 62.64 seconds compared to 31.50 seconds in control rats.
  • These results suggest that nephrocalcinosis can indeed alter the functioning of a single nephron.

Impacts on Whole-Kidney Function

  • Despite the changes observed at the single-nephron level, data from rats in metabolism cages indicated that the overall function of the whole kidney remained largely unaffected by the lesion caused by nephrocalcinosis.
  • This suggests that kidneys are able to compensate for the altered function of individual nephrons, maintaining their overall functionality.

Conclusion

  • The research highlights the robustness of kidney function despite structural alterations at the cellular level brought about by a disease like nephrocalcinosis.
  • It also suggests dietary interventions, like increasing the intake of magnesium or changing the ratio of calcium and phosphorus in the diet, as potential strategies for preventing nephrocalcinosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Al-Modhefer AK, Atherton JC, Garland HO, Singh HJ, Walker J. (1986). Kidney function in rats with corticomedullary nephrocalcinosis: effects of alterations in dietary calcium and magnesium. J Physiol, 380, 405-414. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1986.sp016293

Publication

ISSN: 0022-3751
NlmUniqueID: 0266262
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 380
Pages: 405-414

Researcher Affiliations

Al-Modhefer, A K
    Atherton, J C
      Garland, H O
        Singh, H J
          Walker, J

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Calcium, Dietary / therapeutic use
            • Diet
            • Female
            • Kidney / pathology
            • Kidney / physiopathology
            • Magnesium / administration & dosage
            • Nephrocalcinosis / pathology
            • Nephrocalcinosis / physiopathology
            • Nephrocalcinosis / prevention & control
            • Nephrons / physiopathology
            • Phosphorus / therapeutic use
            • Rats

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