The role of aciduria in the development of hemoglobinuric nephrosis in dehydrated rabbits.

The effect of acid diets, fasting, and dehydration on the urine pH and the kidneys was determined in 11 control animals. Hyaline casts in the collecting tubules and interstitial medullary edema were observed in the 8 that survived. The test rabbits were subjected to the same treatment as the controls but, in addition, received 1.8 gm./kilo of intravenous homologous hemoglobin. Eleven of 18 animals died of hemoglobinuric nephrosis. The rabbits which died of hemoglobinuric nephrosis exhibited significant alterations in two or more of the following: kidney weight, pigment cast accumulation, and elevations of NPN. The theories which have been advanced to explain the pathogenesis of hemoglobinuric nephrosis are evaluated in the light of the present observations. It is proposed on the basis of them that antecedent tubular damage is of primary importance in the pathogenesis of hemoglobinuric nephrosis.