title: Experimental models for nephropathy.
abstract: Nephropathy is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and its prevalence is continuously increasing in industrialised nations. Nephropathy is characterised to varying degrees by nodular glomerulosclerosis, glomerular basement membrane thickness and mesangial expansion, leading to a decline in glomerular filtration rate, persistent elevated albuminuria, elevated arterial blood pressure and fluid retention. Hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension are considered to be the major risk factors implicated in the progression of nephropathy. Various signalling systems, such as vasoconstrictor peptides, inflammatory mediators, growth factors and adhesion molecules, are involved in the pathogenesis of nephropathy. At present, no promising therapy is available to treat patients with nephropathy due to lack of understanding of signalling culprits involved in the pathogenesis of nephropathy. Animal models are being developed to better understand the disease pathogenesis and develop drugs for nephropathy. In the present review, we have discussed various animal models for nephropathy, which may open vistas for developing new drugs to treat nephropathy.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Pharmacology Division, ISF College of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Moga, India. pbala2006@gmail.com
authors.forename: Pitchal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Balakumar
authors.forename: Vishal Arvind
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Chakkarwar
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Akash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Jayarami
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Manjeet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*