Metabolic effects of long-term diversion of renal venous blood into the portal system.

In 7 splenectomized dogs a left renal vein-splenic vein anastomosis was performed and the right kidney removed. Eighteen to twenty-four months after portalization of renal venous blood no significant alterations of liver function tests were observed. Long-term diversion of renal venous blood into the liver was followed by a slight increase of creatinine and 25-OH-D, a decrease of alpha-amino acid nitrogen in blood plasma and of plasma renin activity in peripheral blood, by signs of slight carbohydrate intolerance despite hyperinsulinaemia, and a slight decrease of erythrocyte count. No influence of this procedure on plasma proteins, lipids, electrolytes, aldosterone and cortisol was found. No morphological abnormalities in the liver and kidney tissue were found.