Abstract
Summary
Since triparanol (MER-29) has been shown to arrest synthesis of cholesterol at the desmosterol stage and prevent an increase of serum cholesterol, we investigated whether this drug would decrease hypercholesteremia and hyperlipemia and reveal a relationship between increase of serum cholesterol and decrease of serum proteins in nephrosis. Experimental nephrosis was produced in dogs by intravenous administration of serum from rabbits sensitized to dog kidney (NTS). Triparanol was given orally in doses of 25 mg/kg of body weight per day before, during, and for 2 weeks after administration of NTS. Total serum lipids, serum cholesterol, and serum and urinary proteins were determined before, during, and for several weeks after injection of NTS. Triparanol decreased serum cholesterol markedly and serum lipids slightly, but it had no influence on hypoproteinemia and proteinuria. The histologic changes in the kidneys were the same in the dogs receiving NTS plus triparanol as in the dogs receiving NTS alone, namely endothelial proliferation in glomerular tufts, adhesion of tuft to capsule at several points, focal fibrosis of glomeruli, hyalinization of tufts with periglomerular fibrosis, irregular thickening of basement membrane, and fusion of foot processes. The tubular epithelium showed hydropic degeneration. Triparanol aggravated the course of the disease.
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