Compared With Radical Nephrectomy, Nephron-sparing Partial Nephrectomy Protects Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mice From...

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Cardiovascular Research
• Immunology

Background:

• Atherosclerosis is a major cause of cardiovascular disease.
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can exacerbate atherosclerosis.
• The impact of different surgical kidney removal techniques on atherosclerosis is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of radical nephrectomy (RNX) versus partial nephrectomy (PNX) on atherosclerosis development.
• To investigate the role of kidney removal extent in CKD-induced vascular disease progression.
• To evaluate the impact on serum lipid profiles and oxidative stress markers.

Main Methods:

• Male apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice underwent RNX, PNX, or sham operation.
• Kidney function, serum lipids, and aortic atherosclerotic lesions were assessed at 16 weeks.
• Quantitative morphologic image processing was used to evaluate lesion size and composition, including nitrotyrosine and macrophage infiltration.

Main Results:

• RNX mice exhibited significantly higher serum urea, total cholesterol, and triglycerides compared to PNX and sham groups.
• Atherosclerotic lesions were significantly larger in the descending aorta and aortic root of RNX mice.
• Aortic plaques in RNX mice showed increased nitrotyrosine expression and collagen content, but similar macrophage infiltration.

Conclusions:

• Partial nephrectomy (PNX) significantly attenuates atherosclerosis progression compared to radical nephrectomy (RNX) in this mouse model.
• PNX mitigates CKD-induced increases in oxidative stress and lipid disturbances, thereby slowing vascular disease.
• These findings support the use of nephron-sparing surgery in atherosclerosis-prone patients undergoing kidney cancer surgery.