Sympathetic Denervation of Renal Arteries in an Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension Mouse Model

Secure an anesthetized adult mouse with a shaved abdomen.

This mouse exhibits elevated blood pressure (hypertension) following infusion of angiotensin II.

Disinfect the abdomen and make a midline incision.

Gently pull out the intestine with saline-soaked gauze to expose the left renal artery.

Carefully remove the fat surrounding the renal artery.

Cover and wrap the renal artery with equally sized phenol-ethanol solution-soaked weighing papers. Place gauze around the surrounding organs to protect them from the solution's effects. 

When applied to the renal artery, the phenol-ethanol solution penetrates and destroys the sympathetic nerve fibers surrounding the artery, causing denervation.

Repeat the denervation procedure for the right renal artery.

Next, retract the intestines and abdominal muscles.

Suture the surgical incision and allow the mouse to recover.

Renal denervation disrupts sympathetic nerve signals, reducing the kidneys' influence on blood pressure regulation and significantly lowering overall blood pressure.