REVERSIBILITY OF RENAL ATROPHY CAUSED BY UNILATERAL REDUCTION OF RENAL BLOOD SUPPLY*

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Abstract
Left renal atrophy was elicited in rats by partial constriction of the aorta with silver clips placed between the origins of the 2 renal arteries. Left uninephrectomy and/or unclamping were performed at the same time as aortic constriction, and at 20 or 40 days later. Results were expressed by the kidney ratio (left kidney weight) (right kidney weight), which normally is equal to one. After 20 and 40 days of aortic stenosis, kidney ratios were 0.76 and 0.68 respectively. When right nephrectomy was performed at the same time as aortic stenosis there was no increase in mortality and left renal atrophy was prevented as shown by a kidney ratio greater than one. Unclamping 20 or 40 days after stenosis did not alter the respective weights of the 2 kidneys (kidney ratio values of 0.76 and 0.80 respectively); however, when associated with right nephrectomy, the left kidney hypertrophied (kidney ratio values between 0.9 and 1.16). The same degree of hypertrophy (kidney ratio 0.99) took place when the clamp was left in place at the time of right nephrectomy. Hypertension was remitted more regularly by left nephrectomy than unclamping. In conclusion an atrophic kidney can hypertrophy and recover functionally as long as there are no degenerative lesions, in spite of a reduction in renal blood supply: such a kidney remains responsive to renotrophic stimuli.