Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction for 28 Days in Rats Is Not Associated with Changes in Cardiac Function or Alterations in Mitochondrial Function

Our work evaluated cardiac function and mitochondrial bioenergetics parameters in hearts from male Wistar rats subjected to the UUO model during 28 days of progression. We measured markers of kidney damage and inflammation in plasma and renal fibrosis by histological analysis and Western blot. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography and proteins involved in cardiac damage by Western blot. Oxygen consumption and transmembrane potential were monitored in cardiac mitochondria using high-resolution respirometry. We also determined the activity of ATP synthase and antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalase. Our results show that, although renal dysfunction is established in animals subjected to ureteral obstruction, cardiac function is maintained along with mitochondrial function and antioxidant enzymes activity after 28 days of injury evolution. Our results suggest that renocardiac syndrome might develop but belatedly in obstruction-induced renal damage, opening the opportunity for treatment to prevent this condition.