Rapid induction of glomerular lipidosis in APA hamsters by streptozotocin

The pathology of male Syrian hamsters of APA strain which were injected intraperitoneally with 40 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin (SZ) at 2 months of age was examined. It showed long-lasting prominent hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia with glucosuria and the development of glomerular lipidosis from 1 month after SZ-injection (1 MAI). Glomerular lesions were restricted to the juxtamedullary cortex at 1 MAI and then extended to the subcapsular cortex. At 3 MAI, glomerular lesions were characterized by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis showing segmental expansion of the mesangial area due to an increase of basement membrane-like material and mesangial cells with lipid droplets and foam cells. SZ-induced diabetic APA hamsters will be a useful model for the investigation of glomerular lipidosis and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.