ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on some of the animal models that have been developed to study the mechanisms involved in acute tubular necrosis (ATN). It describes the methods used to produce ATN in animals and highlights some areas where future work needs to be done. ATN is a term used to designate the common type of potentially reversible acute renal failure which follows shock, sepsis, trauma, transfusion reactions, or nephrotoxins. Animal models have helped us to understand the nature of the underlying disorders in human ATN. Complete, temporary renal artery occlusion produces a "pure" ischemic insult to the kidneys and, if sufficiently prolonged, causes ATN. Uranium is a well-known nephrotoxin that has often been used to produce ATN. In experimental studies of ATN, the soluble uranium salts uranyl nitrate or uranyl acetate are usually administered. Tubular cell damage appears to play a key role in the initiation and maintenance of ATN.
