Enhanced angiotensin II stimulates renal disorders in transgenic Tsukuba hypertensive mice

Tsukuba hypertensive mice (THMs) are transgenic mice carrying human renin-angiotensin system (RAS) genes. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether renal disorders are present in THMs. Twenty-week-old THMs and C57BL/6 mice (C57s) were used for this study. Each group consisted of 8 mice. Systolic blood pressure, urinary volume, water intake and urinary albumin excretion were measured in each mouse. Each mouse was then euthanized, and the renal glomerulosclerosis index and glomerular size were measured. Systolic blood pressure of THMs was about 40 mmHg higher than that of C57s. Urinary volume, water intake and urinary albumin excretion were significantly higher in THMs than in C57s. The renal glomerulosclerosis index and glomerular size were also significantly higher in THMs than in C57s. These results suggested that an enhanced renin-angiotensin system, including its hypertensive effects, stimulates albuminuria, renal glomerulosclerosis and glomerular hypertrophy in THMs.