Changes in type V collagen in the kidneys of DOCA-NaCl treated rats.

Type V collagen was extracted and quantitated in the kidneys of unilaterally nephrectomized rats exposed to desoxycorticosteron acetate (DOCA-NaCl) treatment. A highly elevated content of collagen type V was found in these kidneys compared with controls. A higher content of collagen type V was present both in the pepsin digest of the total kidney and in the isolated glomerular basement membranes. It was previously reported that one of the factors involved in the growth of the remaining kidney in unilaterally nephrectomized DOCA-NaCl treated rats is the increase of collagen type IV, the effect being more prominent in rats nephrectomized at a younger age. The present study documents that the increase of type V collagen follows the same pattern.