J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  2001 Dec;20(4):279-286.

Experimentally Induced Acute Uric Acid Nephropathy in Rabbits: Findings of High Resolution Gray scale and Doppler Ultrasonographies

• Yang I
• Chung SY
• Lee KW
• Kim HD
• Ko EY
• Won MS
• Noh JW
• Park MH

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes of the high-resolution (HR) gray scale and Doppler ultrasonographic (US) characteristics of experimentally induced acute uric acid (UA) nephropathy in rabbits.
MATERIALS and METHODS
Acute UA nephropathy was induced in ten rabbits using supersaturated lithium carbonate solution. The rabbits were divided in two groups. Group I consisted of five rabbits, and they were injected with a single dose of 150 ml of saturated UA over one hour. During this period, serial US studies of the kidneys of these rabbits were performed every ten minutes. Group II consisted of the remaining five rabbits, and three injections of 50 ml of saturated UA soultion were given on the first, fifth and eighth day and follow-up was done upto twenty fifth day. Sequential HR and Doppler US, renal biopsy and blood sampling were performed on day 1, 5, 8, 21, and 25 in the group II rabbits.
RESULTS
In group I, HR and Doppler US examination revealed the normal resistive index without significant abnormality. On the other hand, US studies of group II showed poor renal corticomedullary differentiation, decreased renal blood flow and elevated resistive index. There was statistically significant correlation among US findings, histologic characteristics and chemical index (BUN, creatinine) of renal function. In addition, sequentially increased size and volume of the kidney were noted in both groups.
CONCLUSION
HR gray scale and Doppler US characteristics of experimentally induced acute UA nephropathy in rabbits were similar to those of acute renal failure caused by other well-known causes.

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury
Biopsy
Follow-Up Studies
Hand
Kidney
Lithium Carbonate
Nephritis
Rabbits*
Renal Circulation
Uric Acid*
Lithium Carbonate
Uric Acid