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

In seven splenectomised dogs a left renal vein-splenic vein anastomosis was performed and the right kidney removed. Eighteen to twenty-four months after portalisation of renal venous blood no significant alterations of liver function tests were found. Long-term diversion of renal venous blood into the liver was followed by a slight increase of creatinine and 25(OH)D3, a decrease of alpha-amino acid nitrogen in blood plasma and of plasma renin activity in peripheral blood, by symptoms of slight carbohydrate intolerance despite hyperinsulinaemia and a slight decrease of erythrocytosis. No influence of this procedure on plasma proteins, lipids, electrolytes, aldosterone and cortisol was observed. No morphological abnormalities in liver and kidney tissues were found.