A porcine model of relief of unilateral ureteral obstruction: study on self-repairing capability over multiple time points

Abstract

It is still controversial whether renal tubular interstitial fibrosis (TIF) is a reversible process. Although previous studies examining TIF have been carried out in rodents, their kidney size and physiological character differ with humans, and the difference among diverse individuals before and after damage was obvious. Thus an experimental animal model to simulate human kidney disease was urged to be established. In order to clarify whether TIF is reversible, and the exact time points that the kidney has the capacity to be repaired, a porcine relief of unilateral ureteral obstruction (R-UUO) model was developed. Kidney damage and reparation were observed dynamically in vivo over various time points. Pigs were randomized divided into three groups (n = 6): UUO 5 days group, UUO 7 days, and UUO 10 days group. Each porcine in that groups underwent UUO and subsequent R-UUO for three time points. Renal function, histological structure, and protein expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin and E-cadherin were evaluated at different time points. Following R-UUO after 5 and 7 days of UUO, compared to UUO, serum creatinine levels were significantly decreased. Renal pathological tissue damage was repaired. The expressions of α-SMA and vimentin were decreased and E-cadherin expression was increased (P < 0.05). However, during R-UUO 14, 28, and 56 days after 10 days of UUO, serum creatinine was not decreased significantly. The expressions of α-SMA and vimentin consistently remained at high levels. Renal damage was unable to be restored and resulted in chronic lesions. Kidney damage induced by UUO can be reversed in early stages. However, longer time of UUO with significant levels of TIF showed limited reversibility. The porcine R-UUO model provides an ideal animal model for the investigation of kidney injury and repair as well as for the evaluation of the effect of drug treatment.

Contralateral renal change in a unilateral ureteral obstruction rat model using intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging

“…The UUO model serves as a pivotal animal model for elucidating the mechanisms underlying renal fibrosis induced by obstructive nephropathy and for evaluating potential therapeutic interventions to delay the progression of CKD. Pigs have been employed to establish UUO model, which faithfully reflects the structure and function alterations in the affected kidney [ 16 ].…”

Virtual Reality Intelligent Medical Experiment Combined with Liuwei Dihuang Pills Repairing Effect on Male Reproductive System Injury

“…For example, Yan X conducted systematic reviews and meta-analysis through randomized controlled trials to explore the effects of physical exercise on the quality of semen and the reproductive system of male infertility [11]. Liu Y proposed to establish an experimental animal model that simulates human kidney disease to study whether the damage to the male reproductive system caused by renal tubules interstitial fibrosis is a reversible process, but the practicality of the research is not very high [12].…”