[Electron microscopy features of renal changes in chronic lead poisoning (author's transl)].
The Authors report the results of a renal morphological study carried out on eight patients with chronic lead poisoning. The ultrastructural analysis showed changes, mainly involving the proximal tubules, as follows: 1) degenerative pattern (swollen mitochondria, dilated endoplasmic reticulum and scanty microvilli); 2) signs of metabolic hyperactivity (intranuclear granular inclusions, odd shaped nuclei); 3) regenerative pattern (poorly differentiated cells with few microvilli, shallow infoldings of basal cell membranes). In the glomeruli the most characteristic finding was a mesangial reaction. The basement membrane, in some cases, appeared to be thickened and the visceral epithelial cells hypertrophic. Interstitial fibrosis was present, as well as, occasionally, a certain degree of arteriolar hyperplasia. These data appear to confirm that chronic lead nephropathy has an extremely slow evolution.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000473:pathology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008871:Microvilli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008875:Middle Aged; D008933:Mitochondrial Swelling
Aspetti in microscopia elettronica delle alterazioni renali in corso di intossicazione cronica da piombo.