Cell proliferation and apoptosis in Wistar rat kidney after renal mass ablation and low-dose irradiation

Marina Aunapuu^{1, 2}, Andres Arend¹, Mai Ots³, Mara Pilmane⁴

¹Department of Anatomy, University of Tartu, Estonia, ²Department of Morphology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, ³Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia, ⁴Institute of Anthropology and Anatomy, Riga Stradins University, Latvia

Key words: remnant kidney; rat; low-dose radiation; cell proliferation; apoptosis.

Summary. Cell proliferation and apoptosis in the remnant rat kidney after treatment with low-dose irradiation was investigated.

Material and methods. In the first group (n=9), adult male Wistar rats underwent 5/6 nephrectomy (NPX); in the second group (n=9), NPX was combined with low-dose irradiation. Rats without surgery and irradiation formed the control group (n=9).

Results. Hypertension and proteinuria induced by NPX were decreased by 3-Gy irradiation. The 5/6 NPX rats showed a dramatic increase in proliferating and apoptotic cells in the glomeruli and in the distal tubules at week 2, which was significantly decreased by low-dose irradiation.

Conclusion. The data demonstrate that low-dose irradiation is a factor slowing the process of chronic renal injury.

Correspondence to M. Aunapuu, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, 50411 Tartu, Estonia. E-mail: marina.aunapuu@ut.ee

Received 17 March 2009, accepted 5 March 2010