[Effect of acute hypobaric hypoxia on renal function and structure in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To observe renal damage due to acute hypobaric hypoxia.


METHODS
Thirty-six male wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups A, B and C (n = 12 for each).  Group A served as control, while groups B and C were exposed to 5000 m altitude for 30 min. Sample of serum and renal tissues were taken from group B rats 20 min and from group C rats 24 h after the exposure respectively.


RESULTS
Serum ureanitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Crea) increased significantly in group B and C rats after exposure to hypoxia (P< 0.01). Cl- and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) in serum also increased (P < 0.05), but renal endothelin (ET) decreased significantly (P < 0.01). All changes in group C rats tended to recover to normal level, except Cl- which continued to increase. Dilation of renal vessels was found under optic-microscope, and pathological changes were found in mitochondra and epithelial cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute hypobaric hypoxia might be harmful to renal function and structure.
Dai
Y
Y
General Hospital of Air Force, Beijing, China.
Dai
D J
DJ
Wang
Z
Z
Ren
Q
Q
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D002713:Chlorine / Q000378:metabolism; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D016232:Endothelins / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012079:Renal Circulation
D016232:Endothelins; D002713:Chlorine; D003404:Creatinine; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase