Role of sensory fibers of the kidney in cardiac and central changes in the 5/6 nephrectomy model in wistar rats

Abstract

The sympathetic nervous system has been highlighted as an important therapeutic target for arterial hypertension (AH) by using renal denervation in patients and experimental models. Clinical studies in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have shown that renal denervation, which destroys both sympathetic and sensory fibers that innervate the kidney, promotes not only renoprotective effects, but also improves cardiac and vascular function. The aim of this project is to evaluate whether the denervation of renal sensory fibers selectively can improve cardiac and central changes involved in the maintenance of AH in rats with CKD. CKD will be induced by the experimental 5/6 nephrectomy model in Wistar rats. After 5 weeks of CKD induction, the animals will undergo selective denervation of the afferent renal fibers and, after 3 weeks, the following parameters will be evaluated: blood pressure, heart rate, baroreceptor reflex sensitivity, reactive oxygen species in sympathetic premotor nuclei (PVN and RVL) and cardiac remodeling markers and hypertrophy. Therefore, the present project intends to advance the understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to AH and the development of new therapeutic strategies in CKD. (AU)