Rosuvastatin Preserves Renal Structure following Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction in the Neonatal Rat

Abstract

Background/Aims: Unilateral ureteric obstruction (UUO) in neonatal rodents can be used as a paradigm for in utero obstruction in humans and a platform for studying the potential of novel therapies for congenital obstructive nephropathy. The present study examined the effect of rosuvastatin (Ros) on key morphometric measures of renal injury and corresponding gene expression correlates following neonatal UUO in the rat. Methods: Neonatal rats subjected to UUO and controls were treated daily with vehicle or Ros for 14 days. Quantification of tubular dilatation, glomerular size and number and tubulointerstitial fibrotic area was performed and changes validated by reference to appropriate renal gene expression correlates. Results: UUO increased tubular diameter and interstitial fibrosis by 2.7- and 7-fold, respectively, in parallel with increases in renal transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA levels. Glomerular number and size were reduced by 52 and 33%, respectively. Reductions in WT-1 mRNA and protein expression were noted following obstruction occurring in tandem with reduced mRNA levels for BMP-7 and E-cadherin. Ros attenuated tubular dilatation (33%) and interstitial fibrosis (72%) in association with the normalization of renal TGF-β₁ and TNF-α mRNA levels. Ros improved glomerular number and size (30 and 50%), and preserved mRNA and protein expression levels of WT-1 and normalized mRNA levels for BMP-7 and E-cadherin. Conclusions: Ros treatment attenuated all changes, most notably the increase in interstitial fibrosis. Notably, Ros treatment was unable to completely salvage glomerular development. Together these data highlight the therapeutic potential and limitations of Ros in neonatal obstruction.

Effect of Angiotensin II and Small GTPase Ras Signaling Pathway Inhibition on Early Renal Changes in a Murine Model of Obstructive Nephropathy

“…Atorvastatin data are in agreement with previous studies reporting protective effect of statins in UUO-induced renal fibrosis [42–46]. …”

Activating Nrf-2 Signaling Depresses Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction-Evoked Mitochondrial Stress-Related Autophagy, Apoptosis and Pyroptosis in Kidney

“…The occurrence in increased oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptotic cell death, tubulointerstitial fibrosis and renal dysfunction, however, is also found in the UUO kidneys of neonatal and adult female rats [35], [36]. The information indicates in addition to sex hormones, other mechanisms may affect UUO-induced renal dysfunction.…”

Pirfenidone suppresses MAPK signalling pathway to reverse epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and renal fibrosis

“…Weight‐matched rats were randomly assigned to six groups ( n = 10): (i) sham‐operation plus vehicle group; (ii) sham‐operation plus pirfenidone group; (iii) UUO 7d plus vehicle; (iv) UUO 7d plus pirfenidone; (v) UUO 14d plus vehicle; (vi) UUO 14d plus pirfenidone. The UUO operation was performed as described previously . Rats were anesthetized, and the left proximal ureter was exposed and ligated with 4‐0 silk sutures.…”