[Anatomo-pathologic lesions of kidneys in mice subjected to chronic stress]

Three groups of white mice were used. The experiment took place over 138 days. The first Group was used as a control group. The second group was exposed to continuous stress (Population Stress). The third Group was exposed to chronic Stress by electroshock with 22-45 volts for a duration of 4 seconds each minute for one hour each day. The blood vessels are the first to be affected quickly followed by degenerative changes of the glomeruli, which are possible due to hemodynamic disturbances, results in progressive destruction of the kidneys. The following pathanatomical changes were found in the stressed kidneys. (1) Spasm of the arterioles and dilation of the veins. (2) Excavation of hemolysed RBC into Bowmans Capsule. (3) Retraction of the glomerula apparatus with degenerative changes of the cells which to a great extent reached total necrosis or even total destruction of the whole glomerulus. (4) Injury to the renal tubules : the cells of the renal tubules were found edematous with unclear borders between cells in the renal cortex and protoplasmic atrophy medullary cells. The observations derived from this work clearly show that stress causes functional disturbances and histologic changes in the kidneys of white mice.