Abstract: Objective: To investigate the influence of renal lymph circulation disorder on renal function and structure in rats. Methods: Forty-eight male Wister rats were randomly divided into two groups, twenty-four in each: the sham operation group (the control group) and the renal lymph ligation group (the model group). Six rats in each group were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after operation. Renal tissues were determined by PAS and Masson staining, and renal lesions were determined by semiquantitative scores. The ultrastructure of the renal tissues was determined by an electron microscope. Results: Renal disfunction and tubulointerstitial fibrosis were found in the model group. Tubular damage and tubulointerstitial fibrosis were remarkably aggravated in the model group compared with the control group（P＜0.01 and P＜0.05, respectively）. Mitochondrion cavitation, mesenterium insertion and foot cell fusion were found in the model group by an electron microscope. Conclusion: These results indicate that a disorder of renal lymph circulation leads to chronic renal failure and structural lesions, especially for tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

Key words: Lymph circulation, Renal function, Fibrosis, Renal interstitium, Rats