Unilaterally nephrectomized rat with aortic ligation: a uremic model of severe hypertension

The purpose of this study was to characterize a new animal model of severe hypertension with azotemia. Hypertension was induced in rats by complete ligation of the aorta between the origin of the renal arteries. One month later chronic renal failure was induced by removing the right kidney. The serum creatinine concentration, mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma angiotensin II levels were monitored over the next two weeks. One month after aortic ligation, but before removal of the right kidney, the MABP, PRA, and plasma angiotensin II levels were significantly greater than in controls (P less than 0.05). Following nephrectomy serum creatinine concentration rose from 0.65 +/- 0.03 mg/100 ml (X +/- SEM) to 2.75 +/- 0.40 mg/100 ml and 1.78 +/- 0.22 mg/100 ml (P less than 0.05), 3 and 14 days after the right nephrectomy, respectively. Although the elevated MABP remained unchanged, the PRA and plasma angiotensin II concentrations significantly declined to levels indistinguishable from normotensive controls. These data indicate that combining aortic ligation with right nephrectomy produces a uremic model of severe hypertension in the rat. This model may facilitate studies designed to determine the best choice of antihypertensive drugs in the situation of severe hypertension and renal insufficiency.