Ultrastructure of the macula densa in streptozotocin diabetic rats.
Morphometric analyses of the macula densa in streptozotocin diabetic rats have revealed, that the volume density of the large lateral intercellular spaces, which are present in normal animals between the macula densa cells, decreases significantly in magnitude from 8.7 to 1.5% in diabetic animals. The volume density of cytoplasmic glycogen in the macula densa cells increases significantly from 5.4% in the controls to 14.8% in the diabetic animals, but the total volume density of mitochondria is the same in the two groups. The contact area between macula densa cells and the Goorgmaghtigh cells is increased by 38% in the diabetic animals compared with controls. The structural abnormalities in the macula densa in response to diabetes might be considered a structural counterpart to the alterations in the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism and the increase in glomerular filtration rate in diabetes.
Rasch
R
R
Department of Cell Biology, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Holck
P
P
D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000473:pathology*; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007606:Juxtaglomerular Apparatus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D013311:Streptozocin; D013997:Time Factors
D013311:Streptozocin