Gavage versus dietary adenine administration is more effective for the female mouse model of chronic kidney disease

Abstract The high incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires the refinement of animal models for its study. Adenine-induced CKD model has emerged as a non-invasive model that can replicate human CKD. Historically, most studies employ adenine through the diet. However, the lack of details reg...

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Main Authors: Verónica Viñuela-Berni, María Antonieta Carbajo-Mata, Rebeca Corona, Teresa Morales
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06143-1
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author Verónica Viñuela-Berni
María Antonieta Carbajo-Mata
Rebeca Corona
Teresa Morales
author_facet Verónica Viñuela-Berni
María Antonieta Carbajo-Mata
Rebeca Corona
Teresa Morales
author_sort Verónica Viñuela-Berni
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The high incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires the refinement of animal models for its study. Adenine-induced CKD model has emerged as a non-invasive model that can replicate human CKD. Historically, most studies employ adenine through the diet. However, the lack of details regarding the preparation makes reproducibility difficult. This study aimed to identify the best approach to induce CKD through adenine administration in C-57BL/6J female mice: oral gavage or via their standard pelleted diet. After 4 weeks of both routes of adenine administration, plasma creatinine and urea levels were increased, while both parameters in urine were decreased, the pellet group showing increased plasma creatinine levels compared with the gavage group and urea levels showing the opposite trend. Both adenine administration routes demonstrated histological changes in the kidney tissues, particularly tubular dilation and necrotic debris. Gavage adenine-induced CKD showed greater tubular dilation compared to the pelleted administration. Adenine treatment increased water intake and urine output, with no differences between administration routes. Finally, a significant decrease in body weight loss and food intake was observed in the pelleted administration compared to the oral gavage administration. Our results suggest that the oral gavage model is less aggressive, with a more linear progression in kidney lesioning, thus providing an even greater opportunity for veterinary oversight and intervention when needed. Therefore, administering adenine by oral gavage is more suitable to induce a stable and reproducible model of CKD in C-57BL/6J female mice.
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spelling doaj-art-23b3ea500198473dbc5ec738b6fef0ae2025-08-20T04:02:55ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-06143-1Gavage versus dietary adenine administration is more effective for the female mouse model of chronic kidney diseaseVerónica Viñuela-Berni0María Antonieta Carbajo-Mata1Rebeca Corona2Teresa Morales3Laboratorio de Neuroanatomía Funcional y Neuroendocrinología, Instituto de Neurobiología (INB), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)Laboratorio Universitario de Bioterio, Instituto de Neurobiología (INB), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)Laboratorio de Neuroanatomía Funcional y Neuroendocrinología, Instituto de Neurobiología (INB), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)Laboratorio de Neuroanatomía Funcional y Neuroendocrinología, Instituto de Neurobiología (INB), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)Abstract The high incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires the refinement of animal models for its study. Adenine-induced CKD model has emerged as a non-invasive model that can replicate human CKD. Historically, most studies employ adenine through the diet. However, the lack of details regarding the preparation makes reproducibility difficult. This study aimed to identify the best approach to induce CKD through adenine administration in C-57BL/6J female mice: oral gavage or via their standard pelleted diet. After 4 weeks of both routes of adenine administration, plasma creatinine and urea levels were increased, while both parameters in urine were decreased, the pellet group showing increased plasma creatinine levels compared with the gavage group and urea levels showing the opposite trend. Both adenine administration routes demonstrated histological changes in the kidney tissues, particularly tubular dilation and necrotic debris. Gavage adenine-induced CKD showed greater tubular dilation compared to the pelleted administration. Adenine treatment increased water intake and urine output, with no differences between administration routes. Finally, a significant decrease in body weight loss and food intake was observed in the pelleted administration compared to the oral gavage administration. Our results suggest that the oral gavage model is less aggressive, with a more linear progression in kidney lesioning, thus providing an even greater opportunity for veterinary oversight and intervention when needed. Therefore, administering adenine by oral gavage is more suitable to induce a stable and reproducible model of CKD in C-57BL/6J female mice.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06143-1
spellingShingle Verónica Viñuela-Berni
María Antonieta Carbajo-Mata
Rebeca Corona
Teresa Morales
Gavage versus dietary adenine administration is more effective for the female mouse model of chronic kidney disease
Scientific Reports
title Gavage versus dietary adenine administration is more effective for the female mouse model of chronic kidney disease
title_full Gavage versus dietary adenine administration is more effective for the female mouse model of chronic kidney disease
title_fullStr Gavage versus dietary adenine administration is more effective for the female mouse model of chronic kidney disease
title_full_unstemmed Gavage versus dietary adenine administration is more effective for the female mouse model of chronic kidney disease
title_short Gavage versus dietary adenine administration is more effective for the female mouse model of chronic kidney disease
title_sort gavage versus dietary adenine administration is more effective for the female mouse model of chronic kidney disease
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06143-1
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