We investigated the effects of uninephrectomy (UNX) in 6-week-old male and female rats on blood pressure (BP), renal
sodium handling,
salt sensitivity, oxidative stress, and renal injury over 18 months postsurgery, studying control
sham-operated and UNX-operated rats at 6, 12, and 18 months postsurgery, evaluating their renal
sodium handling, BP, urinary
isoprostanes, N-acetyl-β-D-
glucosaminidase, and
proteinuria before and after a 2-week high-
salt intake period. At 18 months, plasma variables were measured and kidney samples were taken for the analysis of renal morphology and tissue variables. BP was increased at 6 months in male UNX rats versus controls and at 12 and 18 months in both male and female UNX rats and was increased in male versus female UNX groups at 18 months. UNX did not affect water and
sodium excretion under basal conditions and after the different test in male and female rats at different ages. However, the renal function curve was shifted to the right in both male and female UNX rats. High-
salt intake increased BP in both UNX groups at 6, 12, and 18 months and in the female control group at 18 months, and it increased
proteinuria, N-acetyl-β-D-
glucosaminidase, and
isoprostanes in both UNX groups throughout the study. Renal lesions at 18 months were more severe in male versus female UNX rats. In summary, long-term UNX increased the BP,
creatinine,
proteinuria, pathological signs of renal injury, and
salt sensitivity. Earlier BP elevation was observed and morphological lesions were more severe in male than in female UNX rats.