AJP - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Vol 244, Issue 2 304-H307, Copyright © 1983 by American Physiological Society
Chronic local infusion into the renal artery of unrestrained rats
J. F. Smits, C. M. Kasbergen, H. van Essen, J. C. Kleinjans and H. A. Struyker-Boudier
A method is described for providing chronic access to the right renal
artery of unrestrained rats. It consists of insertion of a very thin (OD
0.2 mm) catheter into the right suprarenal artery of Wistar rats. The
suprarenal artery originates from the right renal artery. After the cannula
has been guided subcutaneously to the neck, it is connected to an Alzet
osmotic minipump. The method has a success ratio of over 90% for periods up
to 14 days. In the present study, we investigated the effects of catheter
implantation on renal hemodynamics in uninephrectomized rats that were
infused with saline for 2, 6, or 14 days. Values were compared with those
obtained in control rats. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective
renal plasma flow (ERPF) were estimated from plasma clearances of
51Crethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 125I-p-aminohippuric acid,
respectively. Mean arterial pressure was between 107 +/- 2 and 116 +/- 2
mmHg in all animals. Neither GFR nor ERPF was influenced by catheter
implantation. It is concluded that the method does not interfere with renal
function.
