The effect of alfuzosin on renal resistive index, urinary electrolytes and β2 microglobulin levels and TGF β-1 levels of kidney tissue in rats with unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

BACKGROUND: In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of alfuzosin on experimentally generated unilateral partial ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPO) in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty Long-Evans rats were randomly allocated into five groups. In control group (C), nothing was performed; in group Sham (S) only laparotomy was done; in Alfuzosin group (A) only alfuzosin was administered for two weeks (10 mg/kg/day p.o.) without any surgery; in UPO group, unilateral UP junction obstruction was produced; and in the Group UPT (ureteropelvic obstruction + treatment), alfuzosin was administered for two weeks (10 mg/kg/day p.o.) in addition to UPO production. Renal pelvic anteroposterior diameters were determined with ultrasonography (USG) and renal arterial resistivity indexes by color Doppler USG. Urine was collected both at the beginning and at the end of the experiment for 24 h in all the groups and at the end of the experiment, blood samples were obtained. Blood and urine electrolytes and TGF-β1, urine density, urine β2 microglobulin levels were determined. Renal tissue samples harvested from all of the rats were histopathologically evaluated. Results were determined using one-way ANOVA t-test; p < 0.05 was accepted as significant.

RESULTS: Urine density in the UPT group was lower with respect to UPO group and blood electrolytes were preserved as close to normal (p < 0.05). In the UPT group, urine TGF-β1 and blood TGF-β1, blood β2 microglobulin levels and histopathologic damage scores were lower compared to the UPO group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: It is shown in this experimental unilateral partial UPO model that alfuzosin treatment prevents obstructive renal damage.