Experimental Urate Nephropathy: Studies of the Distribution of Urate in Renal Tissue

Abstract

In an attempt to delineate factors responsible for the accumulation of uric acid in renal tissue in vivo, the concentration of urate in renal cortex, medulla and papilla was measured in dogs infused with varying amounts of lithium urate. During antidiuresis, urate concentration increased as the papilla was approached, and with large urate infusions, the concentration of urate in papillary tissue equalled or exceeded that in urine. Renal accumulation of urate was roughly proportional to the plasma level of urate, and was reduced by water loading or mannitol diuresis. Renal concentrating ability was not consistently altered by acute infusions of urate.