Increased hematocrit mitigates ischemic renal damage in the splenectomized dog

Splenectomy (SPLX) prevents ischemic acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and peritubular capillary (PTC) congestion. This study attempts to reverse the protective effect of splenectomy in the ischemic model of ATN by increasing hematocrit before inducing ATN. Sham-SPLX, SPLX, and SPLX dogs given packed red cells to elevate hematocrit by 30% (SPLX-high hematocrit) received bilateral renal artery obstruction (RAO) for 120 minutes. Renal function was tested for 6 days post-RAO. Hematocrit in the SPLX-high hematocrit group was greater (p less than .05) than the SPLX-RAO group but did not differ from the non-SPLX group. All groups had different (p less than .05) serum creatinine levels for 48 hours post-RAO, and untreated animals differed from all the others at 144 hours. Serum creatinine was highest in untreated, lowest in SPLX-high hematocrit, and intermediate in noninfused SPLX animals. The same pattern was observed in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine clearance and renal histopathology. Fractional excretion of sodium in the SPLX groups was six times that in the intact animals (p less than .05), irrespective of hematocrit level. We conclude that increased hematocrit is protective in ischemic ATN, and does not promote PTC congestion or ATN in the SPLX animal. In addition, the protective effect of splenectomy may be mediated, in part, by mechanism(s) that alter sodium transport or osmolar excretion.