Postnatal early overnutrition causes long-term renal decline in aging male rats.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated the influence of postnatal early overnutrition on renal pathophysiological changes in aging rats.


METHODS
Three or 10 male pups per mother were assigned to either the small litter (SL) or normal litter (control) groups, respectively, during the first 21 d of life. The effects of early postnatal overnutrition were determined at 12 mo.


RESULTS
SL rats weighed more than controls between 4 d and 6 mo of age (P < 0.05). However, between 6 and 12 mo, body weights in both groups were not different. In the SL group, at 12 mo, systolic blood pressure was higher and creatinine clearance was lower than the same in controls (P < 0.05). Numbers of CD68 (ED1)-positive macrophages and apoptotic cells in renal cortex were higher in SL rats (P < 0.05). Furthermore, index scores for glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis were higher in the SL group (P < 0.05). Significantly less glomeruli per section area were found in aging SL rats (P < 0.05). Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry showed decreased intrarenal renin expression in SL rats (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Early postnatal overnutrition can potentiate structural and functional abnormalities in the aging kidney and can lead to systolic hypertension with reduced intrarenal renin activity.
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
Hyung Eun
HE
Yim
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
Kee Hwan
KH
Yoo
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
In Sun
IS
Bae
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
Young Sook
YS
Hong
Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
Joo Won
JW
Lee
D000375:Aging; D053180:Animal Nutrition Sciences; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis; D001835:Body Weight; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D044343:Overnutrition / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D012083:Renin / Q000378:metabolism; D013599:Systole; D013997:Time Factors; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D003404:Creatinine; D012083:Renin; C539355:CD68 protein, rat; D000097382:CD68 Molecule