Effects of oral carbonic adsorbent (AST-120) on kidney of early-stage chronic kidney disease rats

Abstract

Aim: to investigate the therapeutic effects of oral carbonic adsorbent on rats with early-stage renal failure. Methods: The early-stage renal failure model was established with three-fourth subtotal nephrectomy Wistar rats. Four weeks after the subtotal nephrectomy, the rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) adsorbent diet (AD) rats; (2) low protein diet (LPD) group; (3) low protein and AD rats; and (4) normal diet rats as control (ctrl) group. Sham operation group is set as well. The therapeutic effects of adsorbent were examined after 15 weeks treatment. Results: The level of 24 hours urinary protein excretion, serum creatinine (Scr), index of glomerulosclerosis (GSI) and tubulointerstitial fibrosis score (TIFS) of rats with adsorbent or LPD treatment are significantly lower than ctrl group rats. The combination of adsorbent and LPD lowered level of 24 hours urinary protein excretion, Scr, index of GSI and TIFS compared with LPD or adsorbent treatment alone. Conclusion: Both AST-120 and LPD treatment lowered the Scr and blood urea nitrogen level as well as ameliorated the proteinuria and glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage of rats with early stage renal failure. The combined treatment of oral carbonic adsorbent and LPD showed greater therapeutic effects.