Ovariectomy exacerbates glycerol-induced acute kidney injury in rats

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ovariectomy on glycerol-induced renal changes in rats. Methods: Twenty-four female Wistar rats were submitted to ovariectomized (OVX) or sham surgery. One week after surgery, the animals received an intramuscular injection (8ml/kg) of 50% glycerol or saline (0.15 M) solution. These animals were divided into the following groups (n=6 per group): Sham, sham-operated female rats injected with saline; OVX, ovariectomized female rats injected with saline; Sham+Gly, sham-operated female rats injected with glycerol; OVX+Gly, ovariectomized female rats injected with glycerol. All rats were euthanized 3 days after the injections and the kidneys were removed for histological and immunohistochemical studies. Blood and urine samples were also collected for renal function studies. Results: The OVX+Gly group presented higher creatinine serum levels, as well as greater fractional excretion of sodium and urinary flow than the Sham+Gly group. Histological lesions and tubulointerstitial staining for macrophages, nuclear factor-kappa B, and nitrotyrosine were more pronounced in the renal cortex of the OVX+Gly group compared to the Sham+Gly group. Conclusion: We conclude that ovariectomy aggravated changes in renal function and structure in glycerol-induced acute kidney injury by the intensification of the proinflammatory tissue response.