3D micro-ct of renal vasculature in cirrhotic rats with bile duct ligation

Experimental cirrhosis in rats causes an increase in sodium retention and a reduction in renal blood flow suggesting alterations in intrarenal microcirculation. Kidneys from 5 control rats and 8 cirrhotic rats that had undergone experimental bile duct ligation (BDL) were perfusion-fixed in situ at physiological pressure, filled with silicon microfil containing lead chromate, embedded in plastic and scanned by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The microvasculature in the reconstructed renal images was examined and quantitated using computerized techniques. The cortical vascular volume fraction in the BDL rats was 0.117 ± 0.007 which was significantly different from 0.243 ± 0.040 in the controls. There was no significant difference between control and BDL in the vascular volume fractions of the outer stripe of the outer medulla, the inner stripe of the outer medulla and the inner medulla. The results indicate that after bile duct ligation there is a dramatic decrease of cortical vascularity so that proportionately more of the renal blood flow is directed toward the medulla.