Effects of Restoration of Blood Flow on the Development of Aortic Atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− Mice With Unilateral Renal Artery Stenosis

BackgroundChronic unilateral renal artery stenosis (RAS) causes accelerated atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E–deficient (ApoE−/−) mice, but effects of restoration of renal blood flow on aortic atherosclerosis are unknown. Methods and ResultsMale ApoE−/− mice underwent sham surgery (n=16) or had partial ligation of the right renal artery (n=41) with the ligature being removed 4 days later (D4LR; n=6), 8 days later (D8LR; n=11), or left in place for 90 days (chronic RAS; n=24). Ligature removal at 4 or 8 days resulted in improved renal blood flow, decreased plasma angiotensin II levels, a return of systolic blood pressure to baseline, and increased plasma levels of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin. Chronic RAS resulted in increased lipid staining in the aortic arch (33.2% [24.4, 47.5] vs 11.6% [6.1, 14.2]; P