Validation of the adenine model of chronic kidney disease: studies on tryptophan metabolism in Sprague Dawley rats

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive process, eventually leading to renal failure, or end-stage renal disease, which exhibits high morbidity and mortality. Current therapies can slow disease progression, but there is no available cure. A better understanding of the mechanisms leading to the development and progression of CKD may provide insight into future therapies. Tryptophan dysregulation has been identified in patients with CKD but whether it contributes to, or is simply an effect of, the disease is unknown. This study sought to determine whether the rat adenine feeding model could be used to study tryptophan dysregulation, in order to better understand whether the tryptophan metabolic pathway contributes to disease progression. This model recreates many of the issues common in CKD patients, including impaired renal function, inflammation, anemia, increased diuresis and tryptophan dysregulation.