The number of glomeruli in type 1 (insulin-dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients.
The number of glomeruli per kidney in Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients was estimated by an unbiased stereological method: the fractionator. No significant differences were observed between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients without severe diabetic glomerulopathy and non-diabetic patients. Diabetic patients with proteinuria who were in the early stages of diabetic nephropathy also had a normal number of glomeruli. On the other hand, a subgroup classified as Type 1 diabetic patients with severe diabetic glomerulopathy had significantly less glomeruli compared with Type 1 diabetic patients with mild or no glomerulopathy. A probable explanation is that Type 1 diabetic patients lose glomeruli in relation to the progression of diabetic glomerulopathy. A more theoretical alternative is, however, that development of diabetic glomerulopathy is facilitated by a low number of glomeruli.
Bendtsen
T F
TF
Stereological Research Laboratory, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Nyengaard
J R
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001344:Autopsy; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000473:pathology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis