This study aimed to investigate the effects of renal
sympathetic denervation (RDN) on blood pressure, renal function, and renal tissue pathological changes in
obesity-induced hypertensive dogs. Thirty-two beagle dogs (10-12 months) were randomized to the control (n=10) and model groups (n=22). High-fat diet (HFD) was used to establish the
obesity-induced hypertensive model. After 3 months of HFD, 20 animals with successfully induced
hypertension were randomized to the RDN (n=10) and
sham groups (n=10). Renal artery angiography,
body weight, blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and blood and urine biochemistry were determined 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Models were killed 6 months after surgery. Pathological changes in the renal artery and renal tissue were assessed. The HFD group had significantly (P<.05) increased
body weight, HR, and blood pressure, and higher levels of urine
albumin, serum noradrenaline, and
angiotensin II compared with controls. After RDN, blood pressure was decreased compared with baseline and the
sham group (P<.05). In the RDN group, examination of the renal artery and renal tissue showed intact intima of renal artery in the surgical area, renal sympathetic
nerve degeneration,
necrosis, and dissolution, and widened space between nerve fibres.
Hypertension-induced renal pathological changes were mild to moderate in the RDN group, but severe in the
sham group. The control group had normal glomerular structure. In conclusion, RDN can effectively lower blood pressure in
obesity-induced hypertensive dogs, as well as
hypertension-induced renal pathological changes.