Establishment and observation of a new and ideal reversible model of PUUO

We established a novel procedure to generate a reversible partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (PUUO) in rabbit. The method allows us to reliably measure the degree of ureteral obstruction in live animals, and thus could be a useful tool for studying kidney diseases.

Thirty rabbits of clean grade were divided randomly into sham control group and obstruction (PUUO) group. Each rabbit in this study received the same blocking surgery, in which the upper ureter was curvilinearly incised and inserted with two F6 ureteral catheters that were connected with a tee joint valve. Ureteral obstruction was created and released through the valve adjustment. Serum creatinine and ultrasonographic measurements were performed preoperatively, on the fifth and tenth days after obstruction surgery, and on the 10th and 20th day, respectively, after the relief of the obstruction. Pathological measurements were taken in two randomly chosen rabbits of each group on the 10th day after surgery and on the 20th day after obstruction relief.

Data showed that the serum creatinine went transiently up and down in the early days and then remained a little bit higher in the following days after obstruction surgery. The morphology in obstructed kidney changed significantly on the 10th day postoperatively, compared to the sham control group. The obvious differences were also observed in pathology tests. After the relief of obstruction, the volume of renal pelvis (V), renal cortical thickness (RCT), and pathological impairment were partially reversed.

Those findings indicate our procedure generate a successful and reversible PUUO animal model. It is a reliable and simple procedure for generating an animal model for reversible PUUO. The feasibility and significance of the new method was confirmed through ultrasonographic and pathological results.