Inhibition by methylprednisolone treatment of the aortic mineral accumulation in rabbits with chronic renal failure.

The effect of methylprednisolone treatment on the mineral accumulation in the rabbit aorta during chronic renal failure (CRF) was investigated. Groups of rabbits with surgically induced CRF and sham operated controls were treated for 14 weeks with 0.40 mg of methylprednisolone per day and compared to corresponding groups receiving placebo. After sacrifice the thoracic aorta was excised and divided into an inner intima-media and an outer media layer before determination of the content of cholesterol and minerals. The surface area and wet weight of both layers were significantly increased in the CRF groups but methylprednisolone treatment had no effect on these parameters. Neither CRF nor methylprednisolone caused significant changes of the cholesterol content of the intima-media. Methylprednisolone treated CRF rabbits had a significantly decreased mineral content of the intima-media layer compared to CRF rabbits receiving placebo although the treatment caused no significant changes in the serum concentrations of calcium and phosphate. In rabbits with normal renal function a similar effect could not be demonstrated.