Abstract
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the deleterious effects of shockwaves (SWs) using heat shock protein (HSP) 70 expression on obstructed kidneys with different obstruction periods.
Materials and Methods:
Twenty-five rabbits were divided into two groups with 11 rabbits in each group. Both kidneys of the remaining three rabbits served as a sham group. All animals underwent right ureteral ligation using surgical clips. In group 1 (n = 6), 1500 SWs were applied to the obstructed kidney after 3 days of ligation, and the kidneys were removed on day 4. Group 1 control (n = 5) animals also underwent nephrectomy on day 4 without receiving SWs. Group 2 (n = 6) animals received the same dose of SWs after 6 days of ureteral ligation and were nephrectomized on day 7. Group 2 control (n = 5) animals did not receive SWs and were nephrectomized on day 7. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for HSP70 expression, and staining intensity was graded semiquantatively.
Results:
HSP70 staining results were significantly lower in the sham group compared with results in the study groups. Immunostaining was significantly higher in the cortical collector tubuli in group 1 than group 1 control (P = 0.006). No significant difference was detected in group 2 compared with group 2 control. In the medullar cortical tubuli, HSP70 staining was significantly higher in group 1 than group 1 control (P = 0.03). It was also higher in group 2 than group 2 control (P = 0.04). The mean HSP70 glomerular staining scores were not statistically significant between each group.
Conclusion:
Application of SWs in the presence of obstruction has deleterious effects on the kidney tissue.