Histochemical studies of renal biopsies of nephrotic children

Histopathological and histochemical studies were done on renal biopsies taken from twenty nephrotic children and thirty Albino rats of which fifteen were rendered nephrotic by the intravenous injection of nephrotoxic serum and the other fifteen served as controls. There were reduced activities of succinic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and non-specific esterases enzymes. These changes may be secondary to the insult which caused the nephrotic syndrome, or the result of the heavy proteinuria. In conclusion, a derangement in carbohydrate metabolism may underlie the disturbed metabolism of the basement membrane, the distortion of the foot-processes, and the tubular dysfunction.