Beneficial effect of aluminum hydroxide on progress of adriamycin-induced nephropathy in rats.

To investigate the effect of phosphate binder on adriamycin (ADR)-induced nephropathy, serial changes in renal histology and renal hemodynamics were compared between ADR rats treated with aluminum hydroxide (ADR-AH group) and those without AH (ADR group) for 24 weeks. Urinary protein excretion was less marked in the ADR-AH group than in the ADR group. Serum creatinine in the ADR group increased progressively from week 20, while in the ADR-AH group the increase was less. There were no significant differences in glomerular filtration rate or renal plasma flow between the both groups until week 12 but these parameters decreased to the significantly lower levels at week 24 in the ADR group. Vacuolative degeneration in glomerular epithelium, which was determined as an initial renal lesion, was more marked in the ADR group compared to the ADR-AH group. Glomerular sclerosis and tubulointerstitial changes developed progressively in the ADR group at the later stages. These changes were lessened in the ADR-AH group. In conclusion, AH prevents the progress in ADR-induced nephropathy. The beneficial effects appeared as the preservation of glomerular epithelial cells.