The Relationship Between Gender Difference and the Circadian Rhythm of Renal Function and Histopathology in an Adenine-Induced Kidney Disease Rat Model
Shahrzad Sadat Eftekhar Vaghefi, Fatemeh Mousavi, Mohammad Khaksari Haddad, Zahra Soltani, Fatemeh Shahsavari, Homa Khorasaninejad, Rana Eftekhar Vaghefi, Seyyed Jafar Nosratabadi, Nader Shahrokhi, Fahimeh Pourjafari, Sara Joushi, Gholamreza Asadikaram, Manzoomeh Shamsi Meymandi, Abbas Mortezaeizadeh, Shahriar DabiriIntroduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by progressive kidney damage and decreased renal function. There may be differences in the incidence of CKD between males and females. This study aimed to evaluate the variations in biochemical and pathological parameters, including induced circadian rhythm changes, in male and female rats with CKD. Methods: 24 male, 24 intact female, and 24 ovariectomized female rats were divided into CKD and control groups, with two subgroups for each main group (n = 6). After inducing CKD, urine samples were collected at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and 12:00 p.m. (noon) to measure urea, creatinine, and protein levels. The right kidneys were evaluated histopathologically. The data were analyzed using a three-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni correction for post hoc analysis. Results: CKD increased urine volume, urea, creatinine, urine protein levels, GFR, and histopathological indices compared to the control group at both time points. In addition, male rats exhibited more significant damage in renal function and structure at 12:00 p.m. compared with intact female and ovariectomized rats. Conclusions: CKD and circadian rhythm both affect the physiological functions of the kidneys. However, sex differences potentially contribute to the development and progression of these changes.