Effect of Renal Sympathetic Denervation on Skeletal System in Rat Models

Background: To establish a rat model with renal sympathetic denervation (RSDN) to evaluate the effect of RSDN upon the skeletal system and investigate the underlying mechanism. Methods: A total of 72 10-month-old male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the experimental and control groups (n = 36 for each group). In the experimental group, RSDN was performed using surgical transection and phenol cauterization. In the control group, abdominal cavity was incised open alone. At postoperative 3, 6 and 9 months, the noradrenaline (NE) level in kidney tissue, the expression of Klotho mRNA, and the levels of NE, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OT), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 in serum samples were detected and statistically compared between two groups. The three-point bending test of the femur shaft and vertebral compression test were performed between two groups. Results: At 3, 6 and 9 months after RSDN, the serum concentration of NE, FGF23, ALP, OT, PTH, and 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 did not significantly differ between two groups (all P > 0.05). The test outcomes of the three-point bending test of the femur shaft and vertebral compression test did not significantly differ between the experimental and control groups (both P > 0.05). Conclusion: Application of RSDN did not exert significant effect upon the skeletal system in the SD rat model.