Effects of aminoglycosides on glomerular ultrastructure

Effects of the aminoglycosides, gentamicin, netilmicin and tobramycin (30 mg/kg/day X 7, i.p.), on glomerular ultrastructure were determined in male Wistar rats. Glomerular ultrastructure was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The average number of capillary endothelial fenestrae per 5 microns of capillary wall decreased from a control value of 10.8 to 8.2 and 8.1 in gentamicin- and tobramycin-treated rats, respectively, as shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the density of endothelial fenestrae decreased to about 80% of control in gentamicin- and tobramycin-treated rats. In addition, gentamicin and tobramycin produced a marked reduction in the number of granulated myoepithelioid++ cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. Netilmicin appeared to have no effect on glomerular ultrastructure. Both TEM and SEM, indicate that the nephrotoxic aminoglycosides gentamicin and tobramycin alter the ultrastructure of the fenestrated endothelia of the glomerular capillaries. These ultrastructural changes appear to be correlated to the impairment of the glomerular permeability for different compounds.