Development of a non-targeted metabolomics method to investigate urine in a rat model of polycystic kidney disease

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this research was to use metabolomics to investigate the cystic phenotype in the Lewis polycystic kidney rat.

Methods: Spot urine samples were collected from four male Lewis control and five male Lewis polycystic kidney rats aged 5 weeks, before kidney function was significantly impaired. Metabolites were extracted from urine and analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis was used to determine key metabolites contributing to the variance observed between sample groups.

Results: With the development of a metabolomics method to analyse Lewis and Lewis polycystic kidney rat urine, 2-ketoglutaric acid, allantoin, uric acid and hippuric acid were identified as potential biomarkers of cystic disease in the rat model.

Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate the potential of metabolomics to further investigate kidney disease.