Animal model of chronic kidney disease using a unilateral technique of renal ischemia and reperfusion in White New Zealand rabbits.

PURPOSE To establish a model of chronic kidney disease in White New Zealand rabbits, using an exclusive unilateral technique of renal ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS Twenty males White New Zealand rabbits were used. All animals were subjected to the following: pre-surgical blood collection (1st collection) for creatinine and urea serum analysis, left renal ischemia and reperfusion surgery technique, another blood sample was collected after 6 weeks post surgery (2nd collection), the last blood sample (3rd collection) blood sample was taken 11 weeks post surgery (pre-euthanasia), euthanasia and withdrawal of right and left kidney for histopathological analysis. RESULTS The creatinine levels after surgery was statistically significant higher in the 3rd collection, regarding the 1st and 2nd collection (p<0.05). A significant statistic increase for urea was showed only in the 2nd collection (p<0.05) when compared to the 1st and 3rd collections. Histopathological analysis showed bilateral lesions in the renal tissue, consistent to the process of ischemia and reperfusion. CONCLUSION This exclusive unilateral technique of renal ischemia and reperfusion without nephrectomy in White New Zealand rabbits, showed effectiveness in getting an animal model of chronic kidney disease.