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An Efficient Sieving Method to Isolate Intact Glomeruli from Adult Rat Kidney
Published on: November 1, 2018
Glomerular size and glomerulosclerosis in Australian aborigines
R J Young1, W E Hoy, P Kincaid-Smith
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
Summary
Glomerular size increases with focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) severity up to grade 3. However, severe grade 4 FSGS shows reduced glomerular volume in Australian Aborigines, indicating a biphasic relationship.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pathology
- Indigenous Health
Background:
- Glomerulomegaly is prevalent in Australian Aborigines with renal disease.
- Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is frequently observed in these biopsy specimens.
- Previous studies suggest correlations between glomerular size and FSGS in animal models and human studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between glomerular volume and FSGS severity in Australian Aborigines.
- To analyze biopsy specimens from Northern Territory and Tiwi Islands Aboriginal populations.
Main Methods:
- Stereological estimation of glomerular volume using the Weibel and Gomez method.
- Grading of FSGS severity from 0 (none) to 4 (severe).
- Analysis of consecutive clinical biopsy specimens from 78 non-Tiwi and 72 Tiwi Aboriginals.
Main Results:
- A biphasic relationship was identified between glomerular size and FSGS severity.
- Glomeruli with FSGS grades 1, 2, and 3 were significantly larger than normal (50%, 65%, and 100% larger, respectively).
- Glomeruli with grade 4 FSGS showed a decrease in size, returning to normal dimensions.
Conclusions:
- The severity of FSGS in Australian Aborigines exhibits a biphasic relationship with glomerular size.
- This finding highlights a unique pattern of renal pathology in this population.
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