Development of Experimental Model of Chronic Renal Failure in the Rat

Cho, Young Sam; Kwon, Chil Hun; Park, Heung Jae

Abstract

PURPOSE: An animal model with experimental uremia is an important research tool for the study of pathophysiological events that take place during chronic renal failure. Among the several techniques of making uremic models, the two-stage 5/6 nephrectomized rat model is the most popular method, but this modality has some disadvantages. The aim of this study was to simplify the complicated method for experimental uremic animal models in the rat.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were used for this study. They were divided into three groups: 20 in the experimental group, 10 in the control group, and 10 in the Sham operation group. The ligation of the left renal vessels and 2/3 right renal partial nephrectomy using the 3-0 Silk tie of renal parenchyme were performed simultaneously in the experimental group. The BUN and serum creatinine were measured in all groups in intervals of every two weeks for a total time of nine weeks after nephrectomy. The kidneys of experimental rats were harvested and analyzed histologically.
RESULTS
One week after operation, BUN and creatinine of the experimental group were increased compared to the control group and Sham operation group (p<0.001). At 9 weeks, increased levels of BUN and creatinine were maintained in the experimental group (p<0.001). Histologically, fibrotic changes of partially nephrectomized kidneys and decreased numbers of microorgans, such as the glomeruli and tubules, were observed in the experimental group. Four rats (4/20) in the experimental group died during this experiment.
CONCLUSIONS
To induce chronic renal failure in rats, the one-stage procedure (2/3 nephrectomy using the suture tie and ligation of contralateral renal vessels) is an acceptable method with a low mortality rate.