EFFECTS OF POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS ON RAT GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS INDUCED BY HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC DIET

Association between lipids and renal disease has been reported recentl y. Its pathogenic mechanisms remain unknown. The aims of this study we re to establish: (1) if a cholesterol-rich diet, alone or associated w ith nephrectomy, produces nephropathy; and (2) if a treatment with ome ga-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) reduces glomerulosclerotic les ions. Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized in two different group s: (A) sham operated rats and (B) uninephrectomized rats. Rats in both groups were divided into three subgroups (A1-3, B1-3) according to th e diet they were fed: normal chow diet, cholesterol-rich diet (4.5%) o r cholesterol-rich diet supplemented with omega-3 PUFA. Twenty weeks l ater, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, serum cholesterol, trigl ycerides, albumin, proteinuria, mesangial cell score and focal glomeru losclerosis were assessed. Results showed that a cholesterol-rich diet significantly increased serum cholesterol, proteinuria and glomerular lesions and decreased creatinine clearance, especially in nephrectomi zed rats. Glomerular lesions, serum cholesterol and proteinuria amelio rated when cholesterol-rich diet was supplemented with PUFA. Hypertens ion was noticed only in nephrectomized rats following a normal chow di et. Sim pie correlation analysis showed that glomerulosclerosis correl ated with renal weight, blood creatinine, cholesterol and proteinuria. In spite of some significant differences in urinary prostaglandins, n o con elation with glomerular lesions was found. Multiple logistic reg ression analysis showed that cholesterol and proteinuria were independ ent risk factors for induction of glomerular sclerosis. In conclusion, a diet rich in cholesterol induces glomerulosclerosis, especially if it is associated with unilateral nephrectomy. Omega-3 PUFA administrat ion reduces serum cholesterol, proteinuria and glomerular injury.