The present study investigates morphological renal lesions in sinoaort
ic-denervated dogs 1 (n = 6) and 18 (n = 5) months after sinoaortic de
nervation compared with sham-operated controls (n = 8). After 1 month,
a marked hyalinization and moderate thickening of the media of arteri
oles and small interlobular arteries were observed. These changes asso
ciated with edema and intimal thickening led to a narrowing of the lum
en. In glomeruli, increase of mesangial matrix was focally present in
all cases and associated with mesangial proliferation. In four of six
cases, some glomeruli appeared retracted, with a large urinary space.
A focal area of interstitial fibrosis occurred in just one case. After
18 months, similar but more pronounced vascular lesions were present,
with marked hyperplasia of the media. Glomerular changes were charact
erized by mesangial lesions associated with focal glomerular sclerosis
and thickening of Bowman's capsule. Tubulointerstitial lesions were m
ore prominent in this group, with the presence of tubular epithelial c
hanges and casts. Focal interstitial fibrosis, infiltrates, or both we
re demonstrated in all cases. These morphological lesions were associa
ted with an increase in arterial blood pressure, proteinuria, and natr
iuresis and a decrease in urinary kallikrein. These results show that
chronic sinoaortic denervation in dogs is associated with renal lesion
s similar to those observed in other well-established experimental and
clinical hypertensive states.