Aliskiren improves renal morphophysiology and inflammation in Wistar rats with 2K1C renovascular hypertension
Priscila G. Pereira1, Kíssila Rabelo1, Jemima F. R. da Silva1, Bianca T. Ciambarella1, Juliana G.C. Argento1, Ana L.R. Nascimento1, Aline B. Vieira2 and Jorge J. de Carvalho1
1Laboratory of Ultrastructure and Tecidual Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil and 2Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Biomedical Department, Basseterre, Saint Kitts
Offprint requests to: Jorge José de Carvalho, PhD., Laboratório de Ultraestrutura e Biologia Tecidual, Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia. Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes. Boulervard Vinte e Oito de Setembro - 87 fundos - 3º andar Vila Isabel. CEP: 20551-030 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brasil. e-mail: jjcarv@gmail.com
Summary. Hypertension is characterized by persistent elevated blood pressure levels, one of the leading causes of death in the world. Renovascular hypertension represents the most common cause of secondary hypertension, and its progress is associated with overactivation of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), causing systemic and local changes. Aliskiren is a renin-inhibiting drug that optimizes RAAS suppression. In this sense, the objective of the present study was to analyze the morphophysiology of the left kidney in Wistar rats with renovascular hypertension after treatment with Aliskiren. Parameters such as systolic blood pressure, urinary creatinine and protein excretion, renal cortex structure and ultrastructure, fibrosis and tissue inflammation were analyzed. Our results showed that the hypertensive animals treated with Aliskiren presented a reestablishment of blood pressure, expression of renin, and renal function, as well as a remodeling of morphological alterations through the reduction of fibrosis. The treatment regulated the laminin expression and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines, restoring the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. Therefore, our findings suggest that Aliskiren has a renoprotective effect acting on the improvement of the morphology, physiology and pathology of the renal cortex of animals with renovascular hypertension. Histol Histopathol 35, 609-621 (2020)
Key words: Renovascular hypertension, Aliskiren, Wistar, Inflammation, Renal histopathology
DOI: 10.14670/HH-18-173