Low-dose radiation modifies the progression of chronic renal failure.

Previous studies have indicated that the application of low dose radiation to an arterial ligation has the potential to subsequently reduce or eliminate restenosis caused by smooth muscle cell proliferation. Sufficient kidney irradiation causes a radiation nephropathy and often leads to renal failure. In order to evaluate the effect of low-dose irradiation on the kidney we hypothesized that this particular therapy modifies renal injury in rats with renal ablation and subsequently slows the rate of the progression.