Verapamil limits shockwave-induced renal tubular damage in vivo

Previous investigations on Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells demonstrated the protective effect of verapamil against shockwave-induced tubular dysfunction. In the present study, we investigated whether verapamil is also protective against shockwave-induced damage in vivo. Male rates were randomly assigned to three groups: verapamil (N = 18) (Group I), control (N = 18) (Group II), or sham treatment (N = 4) (Group III). Groups I and II were treated with 500 Shockwaves to each kidney with the Dornier MFL 5000 at 18 kV. Animals assigned to Group III received only anesthesics. Verapamil was given to the animals in Group I for 5 days starting 1 day before shockwave exposure. Urine was collected for 8 hours the day before and immediately, 1.7, and 28 days after shockwave exposure (SWE) for measurement of volume, osmolality, hemoglobin, protein, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG), β2-microglobulin (β2M), sodium, and creatinine. Kidneys were perfused and removed for histologic study 1,7, and 28 days after SWE i...