A practical guide to subtotal nephrectomy in the rat with subsequent methodology for assessing renal and cardiac function

SUMMARY AT A GLANCE This manuscript provides a comprehensiveguide for performing the subtotalnephrectomy model in rats and includesmethodology for assessing renal andcardiac function in this model. It is a usefulmethods paper that is well suited to the Nephrology journal. ABSTRACT: Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD), and its associated cardiovascu-lar events, is one of the major causes of morbidity and recurrent hospitali-zation in Asian Pacific region. The subtotal nephrectomy (STNx) model hasremained the state-of-the-art prototype which closely mimics human CKDand cardiac-renal syndrome. Aim and Methods: In this article, we comprehensively outline the procedureand methodology required to develop the rat model 5/6 nephrectomy andthe associated procedures involved in assessing cardiac and renal functionaloutcomes. Results and Conclusion: In addition, the expected functional outcomes fromour own experience, and those of others, have been described. The STNxmodel in the rat is an established model of CKD and displays all the func-tional and structural hallmarks observed in the human condition. Lesserknown are the cardiac effects of this model which make it ideal for studyingcardiorenal syndrome.