Histamine and the Kidney: In Vivo Animal Models

Animal models have been, and for the foreseeable future, will remain pivotal to bridge the gap between the test tube and the human condition. In particular, the use of an animal model provides the unique chance to study the onset and the progression of renal disease, approaching it simultaneously at the functional, morphological, and biochemical levels. Thereby, in vivo models offer the ideal opportunity to develop effective therapy for the optimal management of renal diseases. More specifically, the evaluation of renal functional and morphological parameters can be used to investigate the role of histamine and its receptors in renal (patho)-physiology and to validate histamine receptors as new pharmacological targets in renal diseases. Within this chapter a suitable in vivo model to study diabetic nephropathy and some of the most important parameters to monitor the functional and morphological integrity of the kidney are described.