Critical review of current animal models of nephrotoxicity

Abstract

Nephrotoxicity occurs when the renal blood is exposed to a nephrotoxic drug or toxin that causes damage to the kidneys. This may lead to acute kidney failure. In this condition the kidney function deteriorates and may lead to chronic kidney failure. If unchecked, the kidney failure may lead to the death. When kidney damage occurs, the kidney fails to remove excess urine and waste leading to retention of nitrogenous waste products of metabolism in the blood. The biochemical parameters commonly used to evaluate kidney function are serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, potassium, sodium and chloride. The animal models play a very important role for understanding the mechanism of nephrotoxicity and development of effective therapy for its optimal management. Since there are many pathways for induction of renal failure, therefore, a large number of animal models have been developed to produce the clinical conditions of renal failure. The present review will help to find an appropriate model to evaluate the new drug or molecule that can protect from nephrotoxicity.