ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL IMPROVES FOCAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS IN RATS WITH ADRIAMYCIN-INDUCED PROGRESSIVE RENAL-FAILURE

The effect of d-alpha-tocopherol on the progression of renal dysfuncti on was investigated in rats injected with adriamycin (ADR), a model of progressive glomerulosclerosis associated with the nephrotic syndrome . Treatment with d-alpha-tocopherol was started 1 day before or 1 day after ADR injections (BE-TOC or AF-TOC rats). When compared to rats wi thout d-alpha-tocopherol treatment (ADR-CON rats), the serum total cho lesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the BE-TO C and AF-TOC groups. In week 16, the LDL cholesterol level and the ath erogenic index were both significantly lower in BE-TOC and AF-TOC rats than in ADR-CON rats. The urinary protein, serum creatinine, blood ur ea nitrogen, malondialdehyde, and systolic blood pressure levels as we ll as the glomerulosclerosis score were high in ADR-CON rats, and redu ced in BE-TOC or AF-TOC rats. There were no significant differences in body weight and serum albumin between the three groups in week 16. It is concluded that d-alpha-tocopherol can improve hyperlipidemia and a meliorate glomerulosclerosis in rats with ADR-induced progressive rena l failure. Thus, d-alpha-tocopherol may have the potential for clinica l application to treat focal glomerulosclerosis.