In vivo visualization of characteristics of renal microcirculation in hypertensive and diabetic rats

We developed a videomicroscope system with a charge-coupled device camera and evaluated it in the investigation of the glomerular microcirculation in normal [Wistar-Kyoto (WKY)], spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), and streptoyotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ). In WKY, the diameter of the afferent arterioles (Af) was 11.9 +/- 0.7 microm and that of the efferent arterioles (Ef) was 8.9 +/- 0.7 microm. Af and Ef in each glomerulus could be visualized simultaneously with continuous recording of blood pressure and renal blood flow. In SHR, Af diameter was constricted to approximately 60% of that in WKY. A dose-dependent dilation of Af and Ef was observed after administration of barnidipine (1-10 microg/kg iv), a calcium channel antagonist, in all three groups. No change was seen in the Af-to-Ef diameter ratio (Af/Ef ratio) in WKY. In SHR, the Af/Ef ratio increased significantly because of the marked dilation of Af after barnidipine administration. In contrast, barnidipine dilated Ef in STZ, causing a significant reduction in the Af/Ef ratio. This system can analyze in vivo glomerular microcirculation and systemic macrocirculation simultaneously, allowing more direct investigation of the characteristics of and acute changes in glomerular microcirculation in pathological animals.