A scanning electron microscope study of the glomerular epithelial cells in alloxan diabetic rats

The glomerular epithelial cells in control and alloxan diabetic rats were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The changes observed in the epithelial cells were mainly localized to the terminal foot processes. In one long-term (12 months) diabetic rat a complete fusion of these processes was observed. Rats with long-term alloxan diabetes had generally more advanced glomerular epithelial lesions than age-matched control animals. The glomeruli of rats diabetic for only one month did not appear to differ from those of corresponding controls.