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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

A Mouse Model to Evaluate the Long-Term Structural and Functional Outcomes after the Reversal of Prolonged Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction
05:34

A Mouse Model to Evaluate the Long-Term Structural and Functional Outcomes after the Reversal of Prolonged Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction

Published on: July 18, 2025

Atorvastatin preserves renal function in chronic complete unilateral ureteral obstruction

Eddie Michli1, Frederick A Gulmi, Shyan-Yih Chou

  • 1Department of Urology, Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York 11212, USA. emichli@yahoo.com

The Journal of Urology
|January 16, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Atorvastatin preserved kidney function in rats with chronic kidney disease by reducing microalbuminuria and maintaining glomerular filtration rate. This suggests statins offer pleiotropic renal protection, even without altering cholesterol levels.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects millions globally, with limited therapeutic options.
  • Statins, primarily used for cholesterol reduction, exhibit pleiotropic effects with potential renal benefits.
  • Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is a model for studying CKD progression and therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the renoprotective effects of atorvastatin in a rat model of chronic kidney disease.
  • To determine if atorvastatin administration preserves renal function and reduces albuminuria in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Main Methods:

  • Rats underwent sham surgery or 3- or 12-day unilateral ureteral obstruction.
  • Renal function, including glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), was assessed.
  • Urinary microalbumin levels and plasma lipid profiles were measured in rats treated with or without atorvastatin.

Main Results:

  • Atorvastatin significantly reduced triglyceride levels but did not affect plasma total cholesterol.
  • In rats with 12-day UUO, atorvastatin treatment significantly increased GFR and decreased urinary microalbumin levels.
  • No significant effects on GFR, ERPF, or urinary microalbumin were observed in sham-operated or 3-day UUO rats.

Conclusions:

  • Atorvastatin demonstrates renoprotective effects in chronic kidney disease, specifically reducing microalbuminuria and preserving GFR in a 12-day UUO model.
  • These findings suggest that the pleiotropic effects of statins, independent of cholesterol-lowering, contribute to renal protection.
  • Atorvastatin may be a valuable therapeutic agent for managing chronic kidney disease.
Abstract

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