A Large Animal Model for Acute Kidney Injury by Temporary Bilateral Renal Artery Occlusion

Summary

This study presents a highly reproducible large animal model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in swine using temporary percutaneous bilateral balloon-catheter occlusion of the renal arteries for 60 min and reperfusion for 24 h.

Abstract

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with higher risk for morbidity and mortality post-operatively. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is the most common cause of AKI. To mimic this clinical scenario, this study presents a highly reproducible large animal model of renal IRI in swine using temporary percutaneous bilateral balloon-catheter occlusion of the renal arteries. The renal arteries are occluded for 60 min by introducing the balloon-catheters through the femoral and carotid artery and advancing them into the proximal portion of the arteries. Iodinated contrast is injected in the aorta to assess any opacification of the kidney vessels and confirm the success of the artery occlusion. This is furtherly confirmed by the flattening of the pulse waveform at the tip of the balloon catheters. The balloons are deflated and removed after 60 min of bilateral renal artery occlusion, and the animals are allowed to recover for 24 h. At the end of the study, plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen significantly increase, while eGFR and urine output significantly decrease. The need for iodinated contrast is minimal and does not affect renal function. Bilateral renal artery occlusion better mimics the clinical scenario of perioperative renal hypoperfusion, and the percutaneous approach minimizes the impact of the inflammatory response and the risk of infection seen with an open approach, such as a laparotomy. The ability to create and reproduce this clinically relevant swine model eases the clinical translation to humans.

Introduction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a commonly diagnosed condition among surgical patients associated with significant morbidity and mortality^1,2. Available data show that AKI can affect even half of all hospitalized patients worldwide and leads to 50% mortality rate in patients in the intensive care unit^1,3. Despite its high prevalence, current AKI therapy remains limited to preventive strategies, such as fluid management and dialysis. Therefore, there is an ongoing interest in exploring alternative therapies for AKI^4,

Protocol

All in vivo studies were conducted in accordance with the National Institutes of Health's guidelines on animal care and use and were approved by the Boston Children's Hospital's Animal Care and Use Committee (Protocol 18-06-3715). All animals received humane care in compliance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Figure 1 shows the timeline including anesthesia, surgical preparation, and timepoints for primary outcome measurements of this study.

1. Induction, anesthesia and intubation

1. To prevent unnecessary stress and discomfort, sedate the swine by intramuscular in....

Results

Functional analysis
The representative results of this study arise from 6 animals and the data shown are mean ± standard error of the mean.Renal function is assessed by determining the urine output, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), plasma creatine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The biomarkers of renal function are assessed using a portable chemistry analyzer. eGFR is calculated according to the following formula: eGFR =1.879 × BW^1.092/P_Cr^0.6 (.......

Discussion

AKI is a common clinical disorder affecting up to 50% of hospitalized adult patients worldwide^6,12. A clinically relevant animal model is needed to further investigate the pathophysiology of the disease and potential therapeutic targets. Although there are several murine models replicating AKI, these do not completely mimic their respective clinical scenarios and the anatomy of the human kidney. This study proposes a clinically relevant swine model to allow for t.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
0.9% sodium chloride injection, usp, 100 ml viaflex plastic container	Baxter	2B1302	For animal hydration
Agent contrast 100.0ml injection media btl ioversal 74%	CARDINAL HEALTH	133311	For visualizing the vasculature
Bard Bardia Closed System Urinary Drainage Bag	BARD Inc	802001	For urine collection
BD Vacutainer K2 EDTA	BD	367841	For blood sample storage
BD Vacutainer Lithium Heparin	BD	366667	For blood sample storage
Betadine	Henry Schein	6906950	For skin disinfection
Bookwalker retractor	Codman		For skin retraction
Bupivacaine 0.25%	Hospira		Administer at incision site for analgesia
Buprenorphine SR	Zoo Pharm		10mg/ml bottle, Dose: 0.2mg/kg SC
Cath angio 5.0 Fr x100.0 cm 0.038 in JR4	MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEM INC	7523-21	For identification of the renal arteries
Cuffed endotracheal tube	Emdamed		To establish a secure airway for the duration of the operation
EKG Medtronics- Physiocontrol LifePak 20 Oxygen saturation monitor	GE Healthcare Madison WI		For oxygen saturation monitoring
Encore 26 inflator	BOSTON SCIENTIFIC	710113	For inflating the balloon catheters
Ethanol 95% (Ethyl alcohol)	Henry Schein		For skin disinfection
Fentanyl patch	Mylan		Dose: 25-50mcg/hr, TD
Gold silicone coated Foley	TELEFLEX MEDICAL INC	180730160	For urine collection
Heparin sodium	LEO Pharma A/S		Dose: 200 IU/kg IV
i33 ultrasound machine	Phillips		Use ultrasonographic guidance for femoral catherization if necessary
Inqwire diagnostic guide wire - 0.035" (0.89 mm) - 260 cm (102") - 1.5 mm j-tip	MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEM INC	6609-33	For guiding the balloon catheters to the renal arteries
Intravenous catheter, size 20 gauge	Santa Cruz Biotechnology	Inc SC-360097	For fluid administration
Isoflurane	Patterson Veterinary Supply, Inc.	21283620	Dose: 3%, INH
Metzenbaum blunt curved 14.5 cm - 5(3/4)"	Rudolf Medical	RU-1311-14M	For tissue dissection and cutting
Neonatal disposable transducer kit with 30ml/hr flush device and double 4-way stopcocks for continuous monitoring	Argon Medical	041588505A	For pressure measurement
Powerflex pro PTA dilatation catheter 6 x 20 mm - shaft length (135cm)	CARDINAL HEALTH	4400602X	For occlusion of the renal arteries
Pressure monitoring lines mll/mll - 12" clear, mll/mll	Smiths Medical	B1571/MX571	For pressure measurement
Procedure pack	Molnlycke Health Care	97027809	Surgical drape, gauze pads, syringes, beaker etc
Protamine	Henry Schein	1044148	For heparin reversal
Scalpel blade - size #10	Cardinal Health (Allegiance)	32295-010	For the skin incisions
Stopcock iv 4 way lrg bore rotg male ll adptr strl	Peoplesoft	1550	For connecting tubings
Straight lateral retractor	Codman		For skin retraction
Suture perma hnd 18in 2-0 braid silk blk	CARDINAL HEALTH 1	A185H	For suturing incision site and securing catheters
Syringe contrast injection 10ml fixed male luer red	MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEM INC	MSS111-R	To administer the contrast agent
Syringe medical 60ml ll plst strl ltx free disp	CARDINAL HEALTH 1	BF309653	For urine collection and flushing of the angiocath
Tilzolan (tiletamine/zolazepam)	Patterson Veterinary Supply, Inc.	07-893-1467	Dose: 4-6 mg/kg, IM
Xylazine	Putney, INC		Dose: 1.1-2.2 mg/kg, IM