A morphometric analysis of the glomerular capillary wall of a new strain of genetically hypertensive mice.
An investigation was performed on a new strain of genetically hypertensive mice to study those aspects of the renal glomerulus which have in the past been implicated in the etiology of renal parenchymal hypertension. Morphometric analyses were carried out utilizing a computerized graphic data analysing system on information obtained through transmission electron microscopy. Chronically hypertensive animals exhibited thinner basement membranes with numerous sub-epithelial focal thickenings, which were largely absent from the normotensive controls. No difference was noted in the width of the epithelial slit pores (interpedicelar spaces). The glomerular capillary loops of the hypertensive animals appeared otherwise unremarkable, as did the urinary space and parietal epithelium of Bowman's capsule. No evidence of renal parenchymal pathologies implicated in the etiology of systemic hypertension was observed, therefore, these animals would seem to be suitable models for human essential hypertension.
D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002196:Capillaries / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006977:Hypertension, Renal / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D007606:Juxtaglomerular Apparatus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains