The Histological Changes and Expression of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor according to the Differential Renal Function during Total Ureteral Obstruction in the Rabbit Model

Purpose: The renal histological and hemodynamic changes and the expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endo-thelial growth factor (VEGF) were evaluated according to the differential renal function (DRF) during total ureteral obstruction (TUO) in a rabbit model. Materials and Methods: In forty-nine control (5) and 16 experimental rabbits (16 in TUO 3 days, 13 in TUO 7 days and 15 in TUO 14 days), the renal blood flow (RBF) and 99mTc-DTPA renal scan were measured both before and after TUO. The cut-off of the DRF group was 40%. The histological changes and expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF were evaluated using H&E and immunohistochemical stain, respectively. Results: The entire control group demonstrated more than 40 % DRF. Contrary to the control group, the DRF was less than 40 % in 4 (25%), 7 (53%) and 6 rabbits (40%) in TUO 3, 7 and 14 day groups, respectively. The postobstructive compared to preobstructive RBF was decreased i