Related Experiment Videos
Decreased glomerulosclerosis in aging by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
L Ferder1, F Inserra, L Romano
1Institute of Nephrology, Jewish Hospital of Buenos Aires, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Abstract:
To evaluate the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on renal aging, enalapril was administered in the drinking water to three groups of CF1 mice at doses of 20 mg/L (Group A), 10 mg/L (Group B), and 5 mg/L (Group C). These experimental groups were compared with 20 CF1 mice not receiving enalapril (Group D). At 2 yr, total body weight was 48.1 +/- 7.5 g in Group A, 47.7 +/- 7.1 g in Group B, 47.6 +/- 4.6 g in Group C, and 35.1 +/- 5.4 g in Group D. The ratio of kidney to total body weight, in percentages, was 1.8 +/- 0.3, 1.6 +/- 0.3, 1.9 +/- 0.2, and 1.5 +/- 0.1 in Groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Morphometric studies of the kidneys revealed the glomerular diameter to be 86.7 +/- 18.0 microns, 96.9 +/- 6.3 microns, 91.1 +/- 11.4 microns, and 106.8 +/- 9.3 microns in Groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. The number of glomeruli per square millimeter of renal cortex was 9.6 +/- 3.7, 12.3 +/- 2.7, 12.4 +/- 8.6, and 3.2 +/- 1.5 in Groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. The mesangial area per glomerulus, in percentages, was 11.6 +/- 4.8, 13.9 +/- 2.9, 14.2 +/- 3.1, and 20.6 +/- 1.9 in Groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. The percentage of glomeruli with sclerosis was 0.1 +/- 0.1, 0.3 +/- 0.1, 0.6 +/- 0.2, and 11.6 +/- 1.9 in Groups A, B, C, and D, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Insights
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition with enalapril slowed renal aging in mice. Enalapril treatment significantly reduced glomerulosclerosis, indicating a protective effect on kidney aging.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Renal aging is characterized by structural and functional changes.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are used to treat hypertension and heart failure.
- The impact of ACE inhibition on renal aging requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of enalapril, an ACE inhibitor, on age-related changes in the kidney.
- To determine if enalapril can mitigate the progression of renal aging markers in mice.
Main Methods:
- CF1 mice were administered enalapril at varying doses (5, 10, 20 mg/L) or placebo for two years.
- Body weight, kidney-to-body weight ratio, glomerular diameter, glomerular density, mesangial area, and glomerulosclerosis were assessed.
- Morphometric analysis was performed on kidney tissues.
Main Results:
- Mice treated with enalapril showed significantly lower percentages of glomeruli with sclerosis compared to the control group (0.1-0.6% vs. 11.6%).
- Enalapril treatment did not significantly alter body weight or kidney-to-body weight ratio.
- Glomerular diameter and density were not significantly affected by enalapril, but mesangial area was slightly reduced in treated groups.
Conclusions:
- Enalapril effectively inhibits glomerulosclerosis, a key marker of renal aging.
- ACE inhibition demonstrates a protective role against age-related kidney damage in this mouse model.
- Further research can explore the long-term renal protective benefits of ACE inhibitors in aging populations.