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Updated: May 30, 2026

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Early Detection of Drug-Induced Renal Hemodynamic Dysfunction Using Sonographic Technology in Rats
Published on: March 11, 2016
Detection of intrarenal microstructural changes with supersonic shear wave elastography in rats
Marc Derieppe1, Yahsou Delmas, Jean-Luc Gennisson
1Laboratory for Molecular and Functional Imaging, from Physiology to Therapy, FRE 3313 CNRS & University Bordeaux Segalen, Bordeaux, France. marc.derieppe@gmail.com
European Radiology
|August 17, 2011
Summary
Ultrasonic shear wave elastography detected increased kidney cortex stiffness in rats with glomerulosclerosis. This stiffness correlated with proteinuria and predicted renal dysfunction, offering a potential non-invasive biomarker for kidney fibrosis.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Glomerulosclerosis is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease.
- Early detection of renal fibrosis is crucial for effective management.
- Non-invasive methods to assess kidney stiffness and fibrosis are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate ultrasonic shear wave elastography for detecting kidney cortex stiffness changes in a rat model of glomerulosclerosis.
- To determine if these stiffness changes predict the histopathological development of fibrosis.
- To correlate kidney stiffness with proteinuria and renal dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Supersonic shear imaging was used to quantify renal cortex shear modulus in control and L-NAME-induced glomerulosclerosis rat models.
- Transversal and longitudinal studies were conducted over 4-7 weeks.
- Urinary protein/creatinine ratio and kidney histology were assessed.
Main Results:
- Diseased rats exhibited increased urinary protein/creatinine ratios.
- Cortical stiffness significantly increased in pathological groups compared to controls (p < 0.01).
- Stiffness values showed a strong correlation with the proteinuria/creatininuria ratio (r=0.639, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Increased cortical stiffness, measured by shear wave elastography, is associated with renal dysfunction in glomerulosclerosis.
- This technique shows promise as a non-invasive method for assessing kidney fibrosis.
- Further research in diverse models is needed to fully understand its relationship with microstructural changes.

