[Pathomorphological alterations in the kidneys in acute and chronic alcohol intoxication]

The literature review presents data on pathomorphological changes in the kidneys in acute and chronic alcohol intoxication. A lack of consensus among researchers on the direct toxic damage to renal tissue by ethanol is demonstrated. Analysis of the literature showed that the issue of attributing microscopic changes detected in the kidneys to characteristic or specific signs remains controversial. Some authors identify several characteristic microscopic patterns in the kidney tissue in alcohol intoxication: thickening of glomeruli basal membranes, narrowing of glomerular capsule tubular lumen. Fatty dystrophy of the proximal tubules is most often indicative of concomitant conditions related to alcohol intoxication, such as ketoacidosis. In alcohol intoxication, some changes in the kidneys occur variably, such as dyscirculatory, dystrophic, pigmentary, necrotic, and autolytic changes. Data on the causes of their occurrence are often contradictory from different authors. The authors of this review believe that this issue can be resolved using up-to-date histochemical, immunohistochemical, and morphometric test methods.