Effect of propranolol on progression of chronic renal disease in partially nephrectomized rats

The effect of propranolol, a beta adrenergic receptor blocking agent, on the progression of renal dysfunction in three-quarters nephrectomized adult male Sprague-Dawley rats was studied. Beginning four weeks after partial nephrectomy (week 0), rats received either 50 mg/kg propranolol (Group I) or distilled water (Group II) daily by gavage for 12 weeks. Renal function was measured by 24 hour urinary protein excretion, water intake, urine output, plasma creatinine, and plasma urea nitrogen at weeks -4, 0, 4, 8, and 12. Mean systolic blood pressure was measured by the tail cuff method. At the end of 12 weeks, rats were euthanatized, and remnant kidneys examined histologically. Group II rats were significantly (p less than 0.05) proteinuric compared to Group I rats at weeks 8 and 12. Mean systolic blood pressures of Group II rats were significantly greater (p less than 0.05) than group I rats on week 8. Both groups became significantly hypertensive (p less than 0.05) compared to week 0 values by week 12. Group II had significant (p less than 0.05) polyuria, polydipsia, and elevated plasma creatinine and urea nitrogen compared to Group I at week 12. Groups I and II could not be distinguished on the basis of renal histologic rank (p = 0.104). We conclude that propranolol attenuated the progression of chronic renal disease in this model.