BODY COMPOSITION IN UREMIC RATS

Abstract

Body composition has been studied in uremia to assess state of nutrition and hydration. However, compositional data, chiefly gathered by measurement of fluid compartments, has not been collated with actual organ weights. This was studied in young, growing male Sprague-Dawley rats made uremic (average BUN 100mg%) by partial nephrectomy. Extracellular fluid volume (ECV), determined by Br⁸² and total body water (TBW), determined by H₃O, were measured and animals sacrificed for removal of adrenals, brains, hearts, kidneys, livers, and right paravertebral muscles. Uremic rats weighed less than control rats (279gm vs 311gm*). ECF and heart size were relatively greater in uremic animals (25.2% vs 22.6%**; 0.0816gm 0.0687gm**+), probably indicating an effect on the cardiovascular system of uremia even when moderate. Absolute intracellular fluid volume (TBW-ECV) (133cc vs 144cc), liver (2.98gm vs 3.60gm*), muscle mass as reflected by 24 hr urine creatinine (8.26mgm vs 9.70mgm *), and total body solids (82.5gm vs 104.1gm**) were reduced in uremic rats either more than, or in proportion to, reduction in body weight. Absolute brain size was equal.

*P<.05 **P<.01 +dry organ weights reported

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