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Published on: July 3, 2013
Postnatal early overnutrition causes long-term renal decline in aging male rats
Hyung Eun Yim1, Kee Hwan Yoo1, In Sun Bae1
1Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
Insights
Early overnutrition in young rats leads to long-term kidney damage and high blood pressure in aging. This study shows postnatal overnutrition impacts kidney structure and function, causing hypertension and reduced renin activity.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Developmental Biology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Early life nutrition significantly impacts long-term health.
- Investigating the effects of postnatal overnutrition on kidney aging is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the influence of early postnatal overnutrition on renal pathophysiological changes in aging rats.
- To determine the long-term consequences of overnutrition during development on kidney function and structure.
Main Methods:
- Male rat pups were assigned to small litters (overnutrition) or normal litters (control) for the first 21 days.
- Renal function, blood pressure, and kidney tissue pathology were assessed at 12 months of age.
Main Results:
- Overnourished rats exhibited higher systolic blood pressure and reduced creatinine clearance at 12 months.
- Increased macrophage infiltration, apoptosis, glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis were observed in overnourished aging kidneys.
- Reduced glomerular number and decreased intrarenal renin expression were found in the overnourished group.
Conclusions:
- Early postnatal overnutrition potentiates structural and functional abnormalities in the aging kidney.
- Overnutrition can lead to sustained systolic hypertension and reduced intrarenal renin activity in aging rats.
Background:
We evaluated the influence of postnatal early overnutrition on renal pathophysiological changes in aging rats.
Methods:
Three or 10 male pups per mother were assigned to either the small litter (SL) or normal litter (control) groups, respectively, during the first 21 d of life. The effects of early postnatal overnutrition were determined at 12 mo.
Results:
SL rats weighed more than controls between 4 d and 6 mo of age (P < 0.05). However, between 6 and 12 mo, body weights in both groups were not different. In the SL group, at 12 mo, systolic blood pressure was higher and creatinine clearance was lower than the same in controls (P < 0.05). Numbers of CD68 (ED1)-positive macrophages and apoptotic cells in renal cortex were higher in SL rats (P < 0.05). Furthermore, index scores for glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis were higher in the SL group (P < 0.05). Significantly less glomeruli per section area were found in aging SL rats (P < 0.05). Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry showed decreased intrarenal renin expression in SL rats (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Early postnatal overnutrition can potentiate structural and functional abnormalities in the aging kidney and can lead to systolic hypertension with reduced intrarenal renin activity.
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