Abstract
Summary
Uranium nephropathy resulted in a 3-fold increase in renal lymph flow as compared to the flow in control, untreated animals. Normal animals showed a significant 4.5-fold increase in lymph flow during mannitol loading while uranium treated animals showed a significant 8-fold increase. The difference between groups (4.5 vs. 8-fold change) was not significant, however. All animals with uranium nephropathy showed a significant proteinuria at the time of the experiment as well as a significant reduction in lymph protein concentration. Prediuresis levels of urine flow were higher in untreated as compared to treated animals. Mannitol infusion was accompanied by an average increase in urine flow of about 20-fold in normal control animals. Animals with uranium nephropathy showed about a 5-fold increase in urine flow. These data appear to be consistent with the histological finding of primary damage to the distal segment of the proximal tubule resulting in leakage of fluid and electrolytes. This leakage of proximal tubular fluid results in a decrease in protein concentration of cortical interstitial fluid and an increase in interstitial volume. These are reflected as an increase in renal lymph flow and a decrease in lymph protein concentration.
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