Evaluation of changes in intrarenal oxygenation in rats using multiple gradient-recalled echo (mGRE) sequence

Changes in intrarenal oxygenation in rats during pharmacological stimuli we re evaluated with a multiple gradient-recalled echo (mGRE) sequence. With a dministration of the loop diuretic furosemide, oxygenation in the medulla i mproved; acetazolamide, a proximal tubular diuretic, produced no significan t change. These results are consistent with our previous studies in humans and resemble earlier studies of medullary oxygenation using oxygen microele ctrodes in anesthetized rats. The technique maybe useful in the evaluation of therapeutic strategies in animal models of pathophysiological states suc h as acute renal failure. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.