Inhibition of thromboxane-synthesis ameliorates the progressive kidney disease of rats with subtotal renal ablation

Ablation of > 70% of renal mass in the rat results in hypertension, proteinuria, and glomerular sclerosis of the remnant kidney. Rats with a remnant kidney have increased excretion of thromboxane in the urine when compared with normal rats. Chronic oral administration of OKY 1581, an inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis, in rats with a remnant kidney increases renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), decreases protein and thromboxane excretion in the urine, lowers blood pressure and cardiac index, and improves renal histology. The degree of hypertrophy of the remnant kidney was unaffected by administration of OKY 1581. Calculated values for single nephron plasma flow and GFR were significantly greater in rats with remnant kidneys given OKY 1581 than in rats given saline. Acute i.v. administration of OKY 1581 increased renal plasma flow and GFR in rats with a remnant kidney but not in normal rats or rats with a remnant kidney previously treated with acetylsalicylic acid. OKY 1581 markedly inhibited platelet aggregation. We suggest that in this model of renal disease platelet aggregation and intraglomerular thrombosis play a key role in the development of glomerulosclerosis. Inhibition of platelet aggregation prevents development of glomerulosclerosis, hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy. We suggest that hyperperfusion and hyperfiltration per se occurring in remnant glomeruli are not directly responsible for the development of glomerulosclerosis.