Effects of Acute Dehydration on the Kidney in Solitary Kidney Rats With Chronic Partial Ureteral Obstruction

Aim: In this study, we evaluated the effects of dehydration on the kidney in rats with a single kidney subjected to experimentally-induced partial ureteral obstruction. Materials and Methods: Twenty male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups of five animals each: Group 1, right nephrectomy (control); Group 2, right nephrectomy + dehydration; Group 3, right nephrectomy + left partial ureteral obstruction; and Group 4, right nephrectomy + left partial ureteral obstruction + dehydration. Chronic partial ureteral obstruction was induced by embedding the left ureter into the psoas muscle for four weeks. Dehydration was achieved via 48-hour water restriction. Results: Hematocrit, urine density, and blood urea levels were significantly increased in the dehydration groups, whereas blood creatinine was significantly elevated only in Group 4 (p=0.01). Scintigraphic evaluation demonstrated that glomerular filtration rate decreased in all experimental groups, with the lowest value observed in Group 4 (p=0.01). All experimental groups showed significant prolongation of Tmax and renal perfusion time and a decrease in renal uptake compared to the control group. These changes were most pronounced in Group 4 (p=0.01). Histopathological examination revealed that alterations such as papillary and tubular deformities, granulocyte accumulation, and medullary edema were more pronounced in rat samples from Group 4 compared to the other groups. Conclusion: Chronic partial ureteral obstruction in rats with a single kidney adversely affected renal structure and function, and the addition of acute dehydration further exacerbated this damage.