Mannitol reduces nephron loss after warm renal ischemia in a porcine model.

BACKGROUND: Mannitol has been employed to ameliorate renal warm ischemia damage during partial nephrectomy, however, there is limited scientific evidence to support the use of mannitol during partial nephrectomy. The objective of the present study was to investigate the glomerular number after renal warm ischemia, with and without the use of mannitol in a Pig Model. METHODS: Twenty-four male pigs were assigned into three groups. Eight animals were allocated to the sham group that was subjected to laparoscopic dissection of the left renal hilum, without renal ischemia. Eight animals were allocated to the ischemia group that had the left renal hilum clamped for 30 min through laparoscopic access. Eight animals received mannitol (250 mg/kg) before the occlusion of renal hilum for 30 min. The kidneys were collected after the euthanasia of the pigs 21 days post surgery. The right kidney was utilized as a self-control for each animal. Serum creatinine, urea levels, the weight and volume of the kidneys were measured. Glomerular volumetric density, volume-weighted glomerular volume, and cortical volume were quantified through stereological methods and employed to determine the number of nephrons per kidney. Student's t test and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the ischemia group, the left kidney recorded a reduction of 24.6% (290, 000 glomeruli) in the number of glomeruli in comparison to the right kidney. Kidneys subjected to ischemia also displayed decreased weight and volume in comparison to the sham and mannitol groups. No difference was observed between the left and right kidneys from the sham and mannitol groups. Further, no distinction in serum creatinine and urea among the groups was observed. CONCLUSION: The use of mannitol significantly reduces nephron loss during warm ischemia in pigs.

Glomerular Morphology and Renal Function after Warm Ischemia by Main Artery or Selective Clamping in a Porcine Model.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the ischemic and non-ischemic areas after selective arterial occlusion by using stereological analysis of glomeruli, and to compare them with main arterial clamping and sham-operated animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four male pigs were used in the study. The animals were divided into 3 groups with 8 animals in each as follows: group sham, submitted to laparoscopic dissection of the renal pedicle but not submitted to ischemia; group arterial (A), submitted to left renal artery clamping; and group selective (S), submitted to left renal artery caudal branch occlusion. Groups A and S underwent 30 min of warm ischemia. Left and right kidneys were collected after 21 days and renal fragments were processed for stereological evaluation. Glomerular volume density (Vv[glom]), mean glomerular volume (MGV), and glomerular density were measured. Serum creatinine and urea were assessed preoperatively, 10 days after surgery, and before euthanasia. RESULTS: There was no significant difference among groups with regard to renal function. Renal weight and volume were similar among groups. Also, no difference was observed between the groups with regard to Vv[glom], MGV, and glomerular density, both when compared to its right control or when left kidneys were compared. CONCLUSIONS: Selective arterial clamping technique was neither superior nor inferior to main artery clamping.

Testicular Morphology and Spermatozoid Parameters in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Treated with Enalapril.

PURPOSE: We evaluated testicular morphology and spermatozoid parameters in spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with enalapril. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spontaneously hypertensive rats were assigned to a hypertensive nontreated group and a hypertensive enalapril treated group. Wistar-Kyoto normotensive rats served as controls. Systolic blood pressure was measured weekly. Spermatozoid concentration, motility and viability were determined in samples collected from the epididymal tail. Testicular morphology was analyzed by morphometric methods. All data were compared using ANOVA and the Tukey post test with p <0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure in the enalapril treated group was similar to that in controls but lower than in the nontreated group. Sperm concentration in the enalapril treated group was similar to that in controls and greater than in the nontreated group. Testicular vascular volumetric density decreased in the nontreated group while in enalapril treated rats this parameter was similar to that in controls. Volumetric density of the seminiferous epithelium in the enalapril treated group was higher than in the nontreated group and controls, indicating a possibly positive effect of enalapril on spermatogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: In this animal model hypertension caused morphological changes in the testis and upon spermatozoid production. Enalapril treatment partially protected the testicles from these alterations, restoring normal spermatozoid production.