Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Kidney in 5/6 Nephrectomized Rats: Correlation with Biochemical and Histopathological Findings.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the kidney alterations associated with renal mass reduction by two-dimensional ultrasound and assess the correlation of the ultrasonographic parameters with the histological and biochemical findings.


METHODS
Rats were divided into two groups: sham-operated animals (n=13), and animals which underwent renal mass reduction (RMR) through 5/6 nephrectomy (n=14). Renal length, renal thickness, cortical thickness, medullary length and echogenicity of the kidneys were evaluated by ultrasonography at 3 and 6 months after the RMR.


RESULTS
Except for the renal length, the renal dimensions at 3 and 6 months were significantly higher in the RMR group when compared to the sham-operated group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the cortical and medullary echogenicity was significantly higher in the RMR group when compared to the sham-operated group (p<0.05). A significant correlation was observed between the plasma creatinine level and the renal length 3 months after RMR (r=-0.612, p=0.045).


CONCLUSIONS
These data support future application of ultrasonography for monitoring the progression of renal damage in chronic studies with the 5/6 nephrectomy model.
Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.|Department of Therapeutic and Diagnostic Technologies, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Bragança, Portugal.
António
A
Nogueira
Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.|Center for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Science, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Ana Faustino
AF
Rocha
Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.|Center for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Science, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Mario
M
Ginja
Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.|Center for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Science, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Paula Alexandra
PA
Oliveira
Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal joaomp@utad.pt.|Center for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Science, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
Maria João
MJ
Pires
D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007679:Kidney Medulla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
5/6 nephrectomy model; Wistar rats; echogenicity; kidney size; ultrasonography