Effects of Oral Adsorbent AST-120 (Kremezin®) on Renal Function and Glomerular Injury in Early-Stage Renal Failure of Subtotal Nephrectomized Rats

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine if treatment with an oral adsorbent (AST-120, Kremezin^®) might decrease the urinary albumin excretion and serum indoxyl sulfate (s-IS), and prevent glomerular sclerosis in early-stage renal failure, i.e. 0.9–1.2 mg/dl of serum creatinine (s-Cr) and 60–95 mg/dl of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), in subtotal (3/4) nephrectomized rats. Levels of s-Cr and s-IS in the AST-120-treated rats were significantly lower than those in the untreated control rats. The AST-120-treated rats showed an increase of creatinine clearance. Urinary protein and indoxyl sulfate excretion in the AST-120-treated rats were also significantly lower than those in the untreated control rats. The ratio of glomerular tuft area to the area of Bowman’s capsules (GT/BC) in the AST-120-treated rats was significantly lower than that in the untreated control rats. The degree of glomerular sclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the AST-120-treated rats was significantly lower than that in the untreated control rats. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship among the degree of GT/BC, glomerular sclerosis, tubulointerstitial fibrosis and the levels of urinary protein excretion. It appears that AST-120 might decrease the accumulation of s-Cr and s-IS, and prevent glomerular sclerosis in early stage renal failure in the subtotal nephrectomized rats.