Potential role of growth factors in the prophylaxis and treatment of acute renal failure

Abstract

Strategies for the treatment of acute renal failure in humans are directed toward supportive care to permit regeneration of damaged tissue to occur. There exists a need for new therapeutic approaches that can speed recovery and reduce mortality. Induction of acute renal injury in rats results in changes in expression of a panoply of growth factor genes. The administration of several of these growth factors to animals with ischemic or toxic acute renal failure accelerates recovery of renal function and normal histology. One of these agents, IGF-I, has been used to treat humans at risk to develop acute renal failure. A greater understanding of the patterns of gene expression post-injury will lead to the generation of more effective therapeutic strategies for acute renal failure.