Electronmicroscopical investigations of the effects of heparin upon the structural elements of the rat glomerulus.
In this study the ultrastructure of the renal glomeruli was investigated 30 minutes after the intraperitoneal administration of heparin. It was observed that the matrix and fibrillary structure became more abundant in the mesangial cells and also in the epicytes; it was noted that the Golgi apparatus was active and the granular endoplasmic reticulum was very enlarged, partially containing structures of a particular shape. Furthermore, there was a general thickening and a dense accumulation of matter in the basement membrane. It was thought that this was due to the migration of structural elements of the mesangial cells and epicytes to the basement membrane and not because of heparin storage. Therefore we have postulated that these structural changes observed in the glomeruli were not associated with the extrarenal effects (antiinflammatory; anticoagulating and anticomplementary activities) of heparin but that they could be related to its cyto-hormonal action upon the epicytes and mesangial cells.
D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003094:Collagen; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats
D006493:Heparin; D003094:Collagen