Development of canine nephrotic syndrome model

To develop an experimental animal model for immune-mediated glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome, nine healthy dogs were sensitized by intravenous injection with 1 mug of endotoxin and 5 mg of native bovine serum albumin. After 1 week, 120 mg of cationized bovine serum albumin was injected intravenously 5 times a week. Among nine dogs, five dogs were confirmed as having developed glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome by increase of urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (> 1.0), hypoalbuminemia (< 1.5 g/ dl), hypercholesterolemia (> 240 mg/dl), and edema. This model should be useful for studying immune-mediated glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome.