New Experimental Model of Acute Renal Failure and Sepsis in Rats

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Abstract
Background: A rat model of acute renal failure (ARF) with sepsis (ARF+S) was developed to simulate the clinical syndrome of hypercatabolic illness in patients with ARF. Methods: Sepsis was created by ligation and needle puncture of the cecum; ARF was created by left renal artery clamping and contralateral nephrectomy. Results: Two studies were performed. In study 1, rats with sham surgery, sepsis, ARF, and ARF+S were examined for 48 hours. During the first 24 hours after surgery, ARF and ARF+S rats displayed increased urea and ammonia nitrogen appearances and abnormal plasma amino acid levels. These abnormalities were exaggerated in ARF+S rats. In study 2, sham, ARF, and ARF+S rats were injected with sodium bicarbonate or normal saline. During the first 24 hours after surgery, the ARF and ARF+S rats showed an increase in urea nitrogen appearance to 210% and 293%, respectively, of sham values, which was greater than the levels that have been previously reported. Sodium bicarbonate treatment did not influence nitrogen output. Conclusions: Rats with ARF+S may be a useful model for studying catabolic patients with ARF. The lack of effect of sodium bicarbonate on nitrogen balance merits additional study. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 18:477-485, 1994)