Maternal gestational protein-calorie restriction decreases the number of glomeruli and causes glomerular hypertrophy in adult hypertensive rats.
OBJECTIVE
This work analyzed the renal function and structure in offspring rats that were submitted to maternal protein-calorie restriction during prenatal or lactation periods.


METHODS
Kidneys from adult offspring were studied. Animals from mothers that were submitted to food restriction were separated in 3 groups: control, prenatal restriction, and lactation restriction. Blood pressure, microalbuminuria, and glomerular filtration rate were determined. Kidney cortical remodeling was analyzed with stereology; volume-weighted glomerular volume and the number of glomeruli were estimated.


RESULTS
Adult prenatal restriction offspring showed enhanced microalbuminuria, decreased glomerular filtration rate, and hypertension; their kidneys showed a smaller number of hypertrophied glomeruli than control and lactation restriction animals.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal prenatal protein-calorie restriction in rats causes kidney disease in adult offspring, which is characterized by hypertension and renal dysfunction and suggests secondary kidney remodeling because of an impairment of glomerulogenesis.
Almeida
Jorge R
JR
Laboratory of Morphometry and Cardiovascular Morphology, Biomedical Center, Institute of Biology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Mandarim-de-Lacerda
Carlos A
CA
D000419:Albuminuria / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D001284:Atrophy; D001699:Biometry; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar