Serial Determination of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Conscious Mice Using
FITC-Inulin Clearance
Authors Zhonghua Qi, Irene Whitt, Amit Mehta, Jianping Jin, Min Zhao, Raymond C. Harris,
Agnes B. Fogo, Matthew D. Breyer
Submitted By Matthew Breyer on 10/23/2003
Status Published
Journal American journal of physiology. Renal physiology
Year 2004
Date Published 3/1/2004
Volume : Pages 286 : F590 - F596
PubMed Reference 14600035
Abstract Two non-radioactive methods for determining glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in
conscious mice using fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled inulin (FITC-inulin)
were evaluated. The first method measured GFR using clearance kinetics of plasma
FITC-inulin following a single bolus injection. Based on a two-compartment
model, estimated GFR was 236.69 ± 16.55 and 140.20 ± 22.27 ml/min in male and
female C57BL/6J mice, respectively. Total or 5/6 nephrectomy reduced inulin
clearance to zero or 32.80 ± 9.32 ml /min, respectively. Conversely, diabetes
mellitus induced by streptozotocin (STZ) was associated with increased GFR. The
other approach measured urinary Inulin clearance using intraperitoneal micro
osmotic pumps to delivery FITC-inulin and metabolic cages to collect timed urine
samples. This approach yielded similar GFR values of 211.11 ± 26.56 and 157.36 ±
20.02ml/min in male and female mice, respectively. These studies demonstrate the
feasibility of repeated non-isotopic measurement of inulin clearance in
conscious mice.

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