[Studies on antinephritic effect of Lipo PGE1 (2). The suppressive action of Lipo PGE1 on the development of accelerated passive Heymann nephritis in rats].

The present study was designed to examine the suppressive action of Lipo PGE1 on the development of accelerated passive Heymann nephritis in rats. Lipo PGE1, given i.v. twice a day at 20, 40 and 80 micrograms/kg from the day after immunization with rabbit gamma-globulin (gamma-G) (the 1st day), remarkably inhibited the urinary protein excretion as well as glomerular histopathological changes such as thickening of basement membrane and spike formation. Lipo PGE1 at doses which the development of nephritis was suppressed, significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma antibody titer against rabbit gamma-G from the day before the appearance of the heavy proteinuria and apparently reduced the deposition of rat IgG in glomeruli. In addition, a single i. v. administration of Lipo PGE1 remarkably recovered the diminished renal blood flow induced by nephritis. These results suggest that intravenous Lipo PGE1 is effective in suppressing the development of the experimental membranous nephropathy. This agent may mainly prevent the development of nephritis by reducing the deposition of rat IgG in glomeruli via the suppression of host antibody formation. Furthermore, the increasing action of Lipo PGE1 on renal blood flow may be also in part related to a beneficial effect of this agent.