| METHODS : Male rats ( 350 450 g ) were randomized to treatment with control ( 5 % human serum albumin , HSA , n = 6 ) or test solution ( 9 % polymerized hemoglobin , PHB , n = 6 ) . ^^^ Following a right nephrectomy , the left renal artery was perfused with 4 ml of HSA or PHB at 37 degreesC . ^^^ RESULTS : Treatment with PHB resulted in lower Cr ( 1 . 2 + / 0 . 23 mg / dl vs 3 . 26 + / 0 . 60 mg / dl , P < 0 . 01 ) and BUN ( 60 . 5 + / 12 . 7 mg / dl vs 151 + / 20 . 2 mg / dl , P < 0 . 01 ) at 72 h compared to HSA controls . ^^^ PHB treated kidneys had less evidence of histologic damage compared to those in the HSA group ( 0 . 75 + / 0 . 11 vs 2 . 50 + / 0 . 64 , P < 0 . 05 ) . ^^^ |