Histologic alterations of rat kidneys perfused with a Euro-Collins diltiazem solution.

Purpose: Analyse the histologic changes of rat kidneys perfused with isotonic saline solution (ISS), Euro-Collins solution (ECS) and Euro-Collins solution with diltiazem (ECSD).

Methods: Thirty-six Wistar rats were used divided equally, as follow: group A (ISS), group B (ECS) and group C (ECSD). Through a catheter placed into the abdominal aorta, a renal perfusion was performed using a solution according to the group to which the animal belonged. After the complete perfusion, bilateral nephrectomy was performed and the organs were preserved under hypothermia for five distinct periods of time. Glomerulus and tubule were evaluated through optical microscopy.

Results: Renal perfusion with ECS and ECSD proved effectiveness in the preservation of the organs up to 36 hours and an increase in the percentage of injured glomeruli was noticed only in the period of 48 hours.

Conclusions: The results showed that exists an association between the tubular injury and the glomeruli lesion degree; kidneys with a higher degree of tubular damage were related to severe glomerular lesion. Also, the addition of a calcium channel blocker, diltiazem, to the ECS for the renal perfusion does not decrease the percentage of glomerular lesion.