Pathogenesis of the glomerulopathy associated with renal infarction in rats

The present studies were designed to characterize the extent and pathogenesis of the glomerular lesions which occur in the viable portion of the kidney following partial renal infarction in rats. Control rats with two normal kidneys had a mean blood pressure of 112 mm Hg, minimal proteinuria and no glomerular pathology on light (LM), electron (EM) or immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM). Rats with two-thirds infarction of one kidney (stage II) became hypertensive, although less than 4% of the glomeruli from either kidney were abnormal. Rats with two-thirds infarction of one kidney and contralateral nephrectomy (stage III) developed proteinuria and hypertension whether fed a normal, low or high Na+ diet. By light microscopy 37% of glomeruli were abnormal 28 days after partial infarction and contralateral nephrectomy and thereafter the percent of abnormal glomeruli increased. Detectable amounts of immunoglobulin and complement (C3) were present in kidneys of stage II or III rats but were always accompanied by more extensive albumin and fibrin deposits. Basement membrane deposits characteristic of immune complexes were not seen on EM. Administration of antihypertensive medication to stage III rats significantly lowered blood pressure and reduced the number of abnormal glomeruli on LM; however, IFM abnormalities remained prominent. Platelet thrombi seen by EM and abundant glomerular fibrin deposits seen on IFM suggested that coagulation mechanisms may be prominent in the pathogenesis of the renal lesion. Heparin-treated stage III rats had significantly lower blood urea nitrogen concentrations, blood pressures and proportion of abnormal glomeruli although glomerular deposition of serum proteins was still present on IFM. These observations suggest that this glomerulopathy is initiated by an unknown agent(s) which increased capillary permeability. This lesion progresses via thrombotic mechanisms which are prevented by heparin administration.