Description
To study the effect of chronic treatment with chaethomellic
acid (CA), a highly specific inhibitor of ras farnesyl-protein transferase,
on the renal function of rats with renal failure induced by renal mass
reduction.
Male Wistar rats were subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy
(RMR) or sham-operated (SO). One week after surgery, rats have
been placed in four experimental groups: RMR: rats without treat-
ment (n=13); RMR+CA: rats treated with CA (n=13); SO: rats
without treatment (n=13); SO+AC: rats treated with CA (n=13).
CA was intraperitoneally administered in a dose of 0.23 g/Kg
three times a week for 6 months. Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen
(BUN) and protein were measured in serum and/or urine by routine
laboratory techniques.
BUN, creatinine, and proteinuria were significantly lower and
creatinine clearance was significantly higher in SO and SO+AC groups
when compared with RMR and RMR+AC groups. There were no differ-
ences in creatinine, proteinuria and creatinine clearance between RMR
and RMR+AC groups. Anyway, RMR+AC group showed significant
lower BUN and lower creatinine and proteinuria, and higher creatinine
clearance than RMR group.
In a model of renal failure induced by RMR, 6 months
of treatment with CA may have some beneficial effect on renal
function.
; Mega, Carmén 
