Histological changes in the rabbit kidney induced by transarterial injection of a hypertonic sodium chloride solution

PURPOSE: To evaluate histological changes in normal renal tissue induced by the injection of a hypertonic liquid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transarterial injection was performed in 17 healthy rabbits at various rates of infusion and amounts of isotonic and hypertonic (7%) sodium chloride solutions. In group 1, 10 cc of isotonic sodium chloride solution was injected. In groups 2 and 3, 1-10 cc of hypertonic solution was injected at rates of 1.0 cc/sec and 0.05 cc/sec, respectively. After 20 minutes of hemostasis, renal weight measurements and histological examinations were performed. In three rabbits that received 10 cc of 7% sodium chloride, lung samples were also obtained, and histological changes were reviewed. RESULTS: There was no tissue injury in group 1, and in groups 2 and 3 the histological changes for infusions of 4-10 cc were greater than those of 1-3 cc. There was no vascular endothelial cell damage in any case. None of the histological changes were dose dependent, and the lungs showed no clear histological alterations. CONCLUSION: Higher doses of a hypertonic sodium chloride solution cause irreversible histological changes in the rabbit kidney.