ORIGINAL PAPER The effect of diclofenac sodium on renal function in reversible unilateral ureteric obstruction F. T. Hammad • L. Lubbad Received: 10 October 2010 / Accepted: 16 November 2010 / Published online: 29 December 2010 Ó Springer-Verlag 2010 Abstract The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of diclofenac sodium, when administered similar to its use in clinical practice, 2 weeks following different periods of complete reversible unilateral ureteric obstruc- tion in the rat using accurate indicators of renal function. Male Wistar rats underwent reversible left ureteric obstruction for 2 days [D2-untreated (n = 8) and D2-DS (n = 8) groups] and 5 days [D5-untreated (n = 7) and D5- DS (n = 7) groups]. D2-DS and D5-DS received intra- muscular diclofenac sodium (3 mg/kg per day) during the time of obstruction, whereas D2-untreated and D5- untreated groups did not receive any treatment. The renal functions of both kidneys were studied 2 weeks following the reversal. The basal heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure were similar in D2-untreated and D2-DS and in D5-untreated and D5-DS groups. In the D2-untreated group, the GFR and RBF of the left obstructed kidney were 76 and 72% that of the right non-obstructed kidney [0.99 ± 0.06 vs. 1.30 ± 0.08 (P \ 0.05) and 4.25 ± 0.33 vs. 5.92 ± 0.61 (P \ 0.05), respectively]. The urine vol- ume and urinary and fractional sodium excretion were not significantly different from the right kidney. Similar response was obtained in the D2-DS group. In the D5-untreated group, the GFR and RBF of the left kidney was 66 and 62% that of the right kidney (0.80 ± 0.12 vs. 1.21 ± 0.6, P \ 0.05 and 3.79 ± 0.32 vs. 6.16 ± 0.59, P \ 0.05; respectively). The tubular functions of both kidneys were similar. In the D5-DS group, there was no difference in GFR or RBF between both kidneys (1.02 ± 0.08 vs. 1.12 ± 0.3, P = 0.24 and 5.10 ± 1.25 vs. 6.46 ± 1.11, P = 0.44, respectively). Similarly, there was no difference in the tubular functions. Treatment with diclofenac sodium during a relatively long period of reversible unilateral ureteric obstruction, similar to its use in the management of ureteric colic, appears to ameliorate the alterations in the hemodynamic glomerular functions at least 2 weeks following the reversal of obstruction. Keywords Ureteric obstruction Á Diclofenac sodium Á Renal function Abbreviations NSAIDs Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs GFR Glomerular filtration rate RBF Renal blood flow UV Urine volume U Na V Urinary sodium excretion FE Na Fractional excretion of sodium Introduction Ureteric obstruction is a relatively common clinical prob- lem in humans, which may result in pain and renal damage [1]. The renal damage is due to the interaction of various factors and agents leading to alterations in hemodynamic and tubular renal function at the time of obstruction [2]. These agents include prostaglandins, the synthesis of which was found to be increased during the course of ureteric obstruction [3, 4]. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been used effectively in the management of ureteric colic F. T. Hammad (&) Á L. Lubbad Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, 17666, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates e-mail: fayez@mail2doctor.com 123 Urol Res (2011) 39:351–356 DOI 10.1007/s00240-010-0348-4