Nitric oxide and asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) levels in an experimental hydronephrotic kidney caused by unilateral partial ureteral obstruction

AIM: Our aim is to measure asymmetric dimethyl arginine and nitric oxide levels in rats with induced unilateral acute ureteral obstruction to research the effects on the kidney. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 21 adolescent (average age 6 weeks) Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing between 240-290g divided at random into 3 groups. Group-1: Control group (n=6): underwent no procedures. Group-2: Sham group (n=6): underwent the same procedures as the experimental group without ureter and psoas muscle dissection. Group-3: Group with induced partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (n=9). All rats were sacrificed after 12 weeks. Superoxide dismutase enzyme activity and nitrite and nitrate salt levels were measured in renal tissue. Plasma nitrite-nitrate and ADMA levels were examined. RESULTS: In the experimental group histopathological changes observed included renal pelvis dilatation, flattened papillae, sclerotic glomerulus and fibrosis. In the experimental group tissue SOD and blood ADMA levels were higher than the control and sham groups (p<0.05) while tissue NO and plasma NO values were lower than in the sham and control groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress and disruption of NO synthesis play an important role in renal function and histopathological changes after obstructive renal disease. To prevent renal complications developing after obstructive nephropathy we believe that a new strategy may be research on reducing ADMA.