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Updated: Aug 27, 2025
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Estimation of Nephron Number in Whole Kidney using the Acid Maceration Method
Published on: May 22, 2019
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Associations between nephron number and podometrics in human kidneys
Kotaro Haruhara1, Go Kanzaki2, Takaya Sasaki2
1Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Kidney International
|September 29, 2022
Summary
More non-sclerotic glomeruli (NSG) correlate with higher podocyte numbers and density in kidneys. This suggests podocyte loss occurs as nephrons are lost, or more nephrons may protect against podocyte damage.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Renal Pathology
- Stereology
Background:
- Podocyte and nephron loss are key in glomerulosclerosis and chronic kidney disease.
- The distribution of glomerulosclerosis and its relation to podometrics are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between non-sclerotic glomeruli (NSG) number and podometrics.
- To explore zonal differences in podometrics within the kidney cortex.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 50 autopsy kidneys from adults without apparent glomerular disease.
- Estimation of NSG number using physical dissector/fractionator.
- Estimation of podometrics using model-based stereology.
Main Results:
- NSG number positively correlated with podocyte number per glomerulus and podocyte density.
- Each 100,000 NSG increase associated with 26 more podocytes/glomerulus and 16 podocytes/10^6 μm^3 density increase.
- Age and hypertension linked to lower podocyte number, with specific effects on superficial and juxtamedullary glomeruli, respectively.
Conclusions:
- First study showing direct correlation between NSG number and podometrics.
- Findings suggest podocyte loss in NSG accompanies nephron loss, or that more nephrons may offer protection.
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