Evaluation of basal membrane antibody (immunoglobulin G) formation after high-energy shockwave application in rats.

To evaluate the immune pathologic effects of high-energy shockwave (HESW) application on glomerular and tubular basal membrane antibody (IgG) formation, an experimental study on rats has been performed. Following application of different numbers of shockwaves (100-200-500), the presence of antibody was examined with the direct immunofluorescent technique 2 weeks and 3 months postprocedure. Whereas specimens examined after 2 weeks showed antibody formation in only one animal (500 HESWs), being located in the tubular tissues, all treated kidneys demonstrated various degrees of antibody formation in both tubular and glomerular tissues after 3 months. Antibody formation had a close relation to the number of HESWs applied and the time of examination after shockwave application. Apart from the well-defined functional and morphologic side effects of shockwave therapy, the possibility of immunologic alterations after this form of therapy has to be evaluated thoroughly in both clinical and experimental studies.