title: Maternal gestational protein-calorie restriction decreases the number of glomeruli and causes glomerular hypertrophy in adult hypertensive rats.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Morphometry and Cardiovascular Morphology, Biomedical Center, Institute of Biology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jorge R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mandarim-de-Lacerda
mesh_terms: 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