Morphological Study of Mast Cell Localization in the Wall of the Proximal Tubule in the Domestic Swine Kidney

Morphological studies to localize mast cells in the wall of the convoluted and straight parts of the proximal tubules of the domestic swine kidney were performed. Kidney perfusion was carried out in 8-month-old pigs and semi-thin and ultrathin sections were prepared after a routine treatment. A light microscopic study showed that mast cells were not frequently found. Most were localized in the wall of the proximal convoluted tubule, while in the proximal straight tubule wall they were fewer in number. Most of the mast cells were oval in shape, their size being typical for this species, and the granules were reddish in colour. Three types of granule containing an evenly distributed granular-fibrous substance were found by TEM examination: the first type had a single electron-optically dense belt under the membrane; the second showed optically empty spaces between the substance and the cell membrane; the granules from the third type had two parallel dense belts below the granular membrane and were the smallest in size. Some of the granules of the first type were connected with the granular endoplasmic reticulum. A very narrow intercellular area and single desmosome-like junctions were found between the mast cells and the epithelial cells. Protrusions of plasmalemma and granules outside the cells were not established. On the basis of these results and data from the scientific literature, a comparative analysis was carried out. This showed certain differences between the results obtained and previous findings on the morphology of domestic swine mast cells and granules.     

Electron microscopy of the juxtaglomerular apparatus in young fowl fed a salt deficient diet

Kidneys from young fowl fed a salt deficient diet for up to five weeks were examined under the electron microscope. The presence of maculae densae (MD) were confirmed and the concentrations of nuclei in the MD and the remainder of the distal convoluted tubules were compared. In the proximal convoluted tubules, salt deprivation caused mitochondrial changes, an increase in intranuclear and cytoplasmic lipid and the deposition of urates. Regional thickening of the glomerular basement membrane was observed in many kidneys. In the normal kidney, there is an age dependent increase in the juxtaglomerular granules in the cortical glomeruli (P less than 0.02), but not in the juxtamedullary glomeruli. In salt deprived birds, juxtaglomerular granules were increased in the juxtamedullary glomeruli (P less than 0.01) but not in the cortical glomeruli. Salt deprivation also caused a significant reduction in bodyweight after five weeks (P less than 0.002) and increases in heterophil (P less than 0.02) and monocyte (P less than 0.05) counts in the blood.     

鸡实验性尿酸盐沉积症的肾脏病理学研究

将１２０只３５日龄迪卡商品代蛋用雏鸡随机分为高钙组、高蛋白组和对照组,分别饲喂高钙（含钙３．９％）、高蛋白（含粗蛋白４４．０％）和全价（含钙０．８％,粗蛋白１８．２％）饲料。试验第２５天,各组剖检５只鸡,作肾脏的光镜和电镜观察。结果表明,高钙、高蛋白饲料均能引发尿酸盐沉积。高钙组鸡肾脏肿大,表面及切面有大量尿酸盐结晶;输尿管扩张,管内充满白色尿酸盐沉积物。光镜观察,肾小球肿胀,近曲及远曲小管上皮细胞肿胀、变性。电镜观察,近曲小管上皮绒毛短缩、肿胀、断裂、脱落,线粒体肿胀、嵴断裂;远曲小管线粒体肿胀,呈现空泡,核呈锯齿型。高蛋白组眼观病变不明显,肾脏的光镜、电镜病变与高钙组相似,但损伤程度较轻。作者认为,高钙、高蛋白所致肾脏损害是鸡尿酸盐沉积症的重要原因。     

Ultrastructural study of the liver and kidney in ochratoxicosis A in young broiler chicks

Ultrastructural changes are reported in the kidney and liver of 20-day-old broiler chicks fed ochratoxin A (OA), incorporated in the diet at levels of 2 and 4 ppm. Changes in the kidney included the presence of abnormally shaped mitochondria in the proximal convoluted tubules. There was an increase in the size and number of mitochondrial dense granules and cytoplasmic peroxisomes. Intranuclear and cytoplasmic lipid droplets and electron dense round bodies in the dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum were also noted. Regional thickening and degeneration of the glomerular basement membrane was observed in some cases. In the liver from OA fed birds there was an increased accumulation of cytoplasmic glycogen in the hepatocytes. Abnormal mitochondrial ring forms in the kidney and the accumulation of glycogen in the liver are considered to be of diagnostic significance in ochratoxicosis of young broiler chicks. The severity of the changes was found to be dose related. These results suggest that the mitochondria in the proximal convoluted tubules of kidney were most sensitive to OA toxicity.     

Immunochemical Localization of Megalin,Retinol-binding protein and Tamm–Horsfall Glycoprotein in the Kidneys of Dogs

Megalin, retinol-binding protein (RBP) and Tamm–Horsfall glycoprotein (THP) are involved in the renal metabolism of vitamin A in canine species. The presence of megalin, RBP and THP in the kidneys of dogs was investigated using immunohistochemical methods. Megalin was highly expressed in the apical membrane of the proximal convoluted and straight tubule cells. Immunoreactive RBP was detected below the apical plasma membrane, as well as in basolateral granules of the proximal convoluted tubule cells. THP immunoreactivity was seen in the epithelial cells lining the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. Furthermore, THP was displayed in a scattered pattern within the distal convoluted tubules. The co-localization of megalin and RBP coincides with biochemical studies that have shown megalin to be responsible for renal RBP absorption in the proximal convoluted tubules after filtration through the renal glomerulus. The presence of THP, the carrier for vitamin A in canine urine, showed that vitamin A excretion in the urine of dogs is not merely a filtration process but also seems to be a pathway located in the distal part of the nephron.     

Effects of intravenously administered tetra-thiomolybdate on the distribution of copper in the liver and kidney of copper loaded sheep: a histochemical study

The effects of intravenously administered thiomolybdate on the liver and kidney of copper loaded sheep were studied using 16 ewes in three groups. Copper, iron and molybdenum concentrations were determined by spectrophotometry and the distribution of copper in the liver and kidney was studied histochemically. Following thiomolybdate administration, the concentration of copper in the liver was reduced, that of molybdenum increased and the concentration of copper and molybdenum in the kidney increased. The reduction of copper concentration in the liver was associated with reductions in the number and size of granules in hepatocytes which stained positively for copper and in the number of Kupffer cells containing positively staining granules. The decrease in the amount of copper in hepatocytes appeared to be greater than that in Kupffer cells. This effect was greatest in the centrilobular zones and least in the periportal zones. The increased concentration of copper and molybdenum in kidney was associated with an increase in the number and size of granules staining positively for copper in the epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubules which suggested an uptake of copper-molybdenum complexes by the lysosomes of these cells.     

Rodent renal structure differs among species

In the present study, we histologically and morphometrically investigated species differences in renal structure using laboratory rodents (mice, gerbils, hamsters, rats, and guinea pigs). Morphometric parameters were as follows, 1) diameter of the cortical renal corpuscles, 2) diameter of the juxtamedullary renal corpuscles, 3) percentage of the renal corpuscles with a cuboidal parietal layer, 4) number of nuclei in proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs) per unit area of cortex, 5) semi-quantitative score of the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) -positive granules in PCTs, and 6) semi-quantitative score of the PAS-positive granules in proximal straight tubules (PSTs). Significant species differences were detected for each parameter, and particularly severe differences were observed in the PAS-positive granules of PCTs and PSTs. Granular scores varied among species and sexes. Vacuolar structures that did not stain with PAS or hematoxylin-eosin were observed in the renal proximal tubules. The appearance and localization of these vacuolar structures differed remarkably between species and sexes.     

Development of gender differences in DBA/2Cr mouse kidney morphology during maturation

Although we recently clarified sex-based differences in mouse kidney morphology, the developmental processes responsible for these gender differences during maturation remain unclear. The present study analyzed the morphometry of kidneys from 20-, 30-, 50-, 60-, 70-, 90-, 120- and 150-day-old DBA/2Cr mice. Total kidney weight and ratio of kidney weight to body weight were larger in males than females beginning at 50 days of age. The percentage of renal corpuscles exhibiting a cuboidal parietal layer was higher in males than in females in the 70-day and older mice. The diameter of cortical renal corpuscles was larger in males than in females beginning on day 90. The number of proximal convoluted tubular cell nuclei was higher in females than in males from day 90 onward. Vacuolar structures in the proximal convoluted tubular epithelium became prominent in 70-day-old males. PAS-positive granules in the proximal straight tubular epithelium became prominent in females on day 50. This paper is the first to describe the development of gender differences in mouse kidney morphology.     

Staining pattern of the brush border and detection of cytoplasmic granules in the uriniferous tubules of female DBA/2Cr mouse kidney: comparison among various fixations and stains.

The proximal straight tubules of the female mouse kidney exhibit heavy periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining in their brush borders and numerous cytoplasmic granules. In the present study, the female DBA/2Cr mouse kidney was examined, using various fixatives (formalin, PFA, PLP, Zamboni's, Bouin, or Carnoy solution) and various staining methods (HE, PAS, alcian blue, periodic acid methenamine-silver (PAM), toluidine blue, azan, or Congo red). Under azan and PAM, the staining pattern of the brush border was similar to that of PAS, and few effects of the fixative were observed. Cytoplasmic granules were clearly detected with PAM as well as PAS. However, these granules were not detected with Carnoy solution. Furthermore, distribution of granules differed between PAS and PAM.     

Karnovsky’s fixative prevents artifacts appearing as vacuolation derived from tissue processing in kidneys treated with antisense oligonucleotide

Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies have been identified as a new treatment modality for intractable diseases. In kidneys treated with ASOs, vacuoles, in addition to basophilic granules, are often observed in the proximal tubules. Some reports have described that these vacuoles are likely to be a secondary phenomenon resulting from the extraction of ASOs during tissue processing. In this study, we compared renal morphology after fixation with Karnovsky’s fixative or 4% paraformaldehyde phosphate buffer (PFA) with that of 10% neutral-buffered formaldehyde solution (NBF). Female Sprague-Dawley rats, intravenously treated four times with 50 mg/kg locked nucleic acid containing antisense oligonucleotides (LNA-ASOs) for 1 or 2 weeks, were examined. Microscopically, vacuoles and basophilic granules in the proximal tubules were observed in the kidneys fixed with NBF. Basophilic granules are indicative of the accumulation of ASOs. Moreover, some of the vacuoles also contained faint basophilic granules, suggesting that the vacuoles were relevant to the accumulation of ASOs. Although moderate vacuolation was observed in the proximal tubules, the majority of the vacuolated epithelia were negative for kidney injury molecule-1 on immunohistochemical staining. Vacuoles in the proximal tubules were not observed in samples subjected to Karnovsky’s fixation, although basophilic granules were observed. In samples subjected to PFA fixation, vacuoles and basophilic granules were observed in the proximal tubules, similar to those in samples subjected to NBF fixation. Overall, our findings demonstrated the possibility of overestimation of vacuolation due to artifacts during tissue processing when using conventional NBF fixation. Karnovsky’s fixative is considered a useful alternative for distinguishing artificial vacuoles from true nephrotoxicity.     

脾虚模型小鼠肾脏中Bcl-2、Bax和Fas蛋白表达研究

目的:采用灌胃法诱导SD清洁级小鼠脾虚动物模型,造模完成后检测小鼠肾脏中Bcl-2、Fas和Bax蛋白表达的改变,并探讨其意义。方法:采用大承气汤诱导小鼠脾虚模型,H.E染色后光镜下观察肾脏局部形态,SP法检测Bcl-2、Fas和Bax蛋白在肾脏细胞中的表达。结果:脾虚组小鼠肾小球部位出现炎症,肾近曲小管和远曲小管部位出现凝固性坏死;肾脏细胞中Bax和Fas蛋白的表达率升高(P<0.05),Bcl-2表达降低(P<0.05)。结论:脾虚会引发肾脏发生病理变化,同时会使Bax和Fas蛋白的表达升高,Bcl-2蛋白的表达下降,增加了肾脏细胞发生凋亡的机率。     

Localisation and expression of TRPV6 in all intestinal segments and kidney of laying hens

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the localisation and expression of the epithelial Ca2+ channel TRPV6 (transient receptor potential vanilloid channel type 6) in different intestinal segments and kidney of laying hens during peak lay. 2. Immunohistochemical analysis of the intestine indicated that TRPV6 was localised to the brush-border membranes of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum, and rectum. Expression was weaker in the rectum, and little or no expression was found in crypt and goblet cells. In addition, TRPV6 mRNA was quantified amongst different intestinal segments, and expression was highest in the duodenum and jejunum. Furthermore, Western blotting indicated that the duodenum expressed the greatest amount of TRPV6 and the rectum the least with the other segments expressing intermediate levels. 3. In the kidney, distinct immunopositive staining for TRPV6 was detected at the apical domain of the distal convoluted tubules (DCT) and medullary connecting tubules (CNT). Interestingly, distribution of TRPV6 extended to the proximal convoluted tubules (PCT). Furthermore, the kidney expressed lower TRPV6 mRNA and protein levels compared with that in the duodenum. 4. In conclusion, the epithelial Ca2+ channel TRPV6 is strongly expressed in the apical cells of the entire intestine and the renal tubules, suggesting that active Ca2+ transcellular transport plays a crucial role in dietary calcium (re)absorption in laying hens.     

Localization of canine, feline, and mouse renal membrane proteins

Immunohistochemistry allows the localization of proteins to specific regions of the nephron. This article reports the identification and localization of proteins in situ within normal canine, feline, and mouse kidney by immunohistochemistry; maps their distribution; and compares results to previously reported findings in other species. The proteins investigated are aquaporin 1, aquaporin 2, calbindin D-28k, glutathione S-transferase-α, and Tamm-Horsfall protein. Aquaporins are integral membrane proteins involved in water transport across cell membranes. Calbindin D-28k is involved in renal calcium metabolism. Glutathione S-transferase-α is a protein that aids in detoxification and drug metabolism. The role of Tamm-Horsfall protein is not fully understood. Proposed functions include inhibition of calcium crystallization and reduction of bacterial urinary tract infection. The authors' findings in the dog are similar to those in other species: Specifically, the authors localize aquaporin 1 to the proximal convoluted tubule epithelium, vasa recta endothelium, and descending thin limbs; aquaporin 2 to collecting duct epithelium; and calbindin D-28k within distal convoluted tubule epithelium. Glutathione S-transferase-α has variable expression and is found in only the renal transitional epithelium in some individuals, in only the proximal straight tubules in others, or in both locations in others. Tamm-Horsfall protein localizes to thick ascending limb epithelium. These findings are similar in the cat, with the exception that aquaporin 1 is located in glomerular podocytes, in addition to proximal convoluted tubule epithelium, and glutathione S-transferase-α is found solely within the proximal convoluted tubule within all kidney samples examined. The mouse kidney is almost identical to the dog but expresses glutathione S-transferase-α in the glomeruli only.     

RENAL COCCIDIOSIS OF THE HORSE ASSOCIATED WITH KLOSSIELLA EQUI

SUMMARY Klossiella equi in the kidney of a horse is described. Gametocytic and sporogonic stages were observed in the epithelium of the collecting tubules in association with schizonts in the glomeruli and proximal convoluted tubules. The condition was asymptomatic and caused only minor renal damage and inflammation.     

Arsenic toxicosis and suspected chromium toxicosis in a herd of cattle

Arsenic toxicosis and suspected chromium toxicosis were diagnosed in a herd of cattle that ingested ashes from lumber treated with copper, chromium, and arsenic. Findings included peracute death, depression, ataxia, weakness, recumbency, and watery diarrhea. Chemical analyses of liver, kidney, abomasal contents, rumen contents, and ashes revealed high concentrations of arsenic and chromium. Histologically, specimens of abomasum and duodenum had diffuse mucosal degeneration and engorged capillaries. Epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubules and distal collecting tubules of the kidney were swollen and had mild granular cytoplasmic degeneration. Burning lumber treated with copper, chromium, and arsenic does not remove the heavy metals from them, and ingestion of the ashes from the wood constitutes a hazard to livestock health.     

Mycotoxicosis produced in swine by cultural products of an isolate of Aspergillus ochraceus. I. Clinical observations and pathology.

Pigs fed a ration, 25% of which was rice culture, of Aspergillus ochraceus lost weight or failed to gain and became depressed. Some pigs died and most developed subcutaneous edema, hydrothorax, hydroperitoneum, pulmonary atelectasis, edema of the mesentery and perirenal edema. Microscopic lesions in addition to edema were primarily renal and consisted of tubular degeneration and necrosis, hyaline tubular casts, interstitial fibrosis and tubular cell regeneration. The first change found after 3 days was cytoplasmic vacuolation of the convoluted and straight segments of the proximal tubules. Necrotic proximal tubules were found after 4 days and after 9 days degeneration and necrosis involved predominantly proximal tubular segments. Pigs fed a ration, 12.5% of which was rice culture, for 8 weeks did not develop perirenal edema but had firm kidneys. Extensive interstitial fibrosis of the cortical labyrinth was the principal change. Within the fibrous connective tissue, some tubules were necrotic and others were atrophied.     

Clinico-pathomorphological, serum biochemical and histological studies in broilers fed ochratoxin A and a toxin deactivator (Mycofix Plus)

1. Toxic effects of two concentrations (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) of ochratoxin A (OTA) and attenuating effects of a toxin deactivator (Mycofix Plus(MTV INSIDE)) containing the yeast Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans on the performance (feed conversion ratio; body weight gain), serum enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and aspartate aminotransferase) and clinico-pathomorphology of internal organs were studied in 270 one-day-old broiler chicks divided into 9 groups over a 42-d period. 2. Feed conversion ratios (FCR) in groups fed toxin deactivator were improved compared with groups receiving OTA only. An increase in the relative weight of kidney and liver was observed in groups fed 0.5 and 1 mg/kg OTA on day 42 of the experiment as compared with the control group. In contrast, relative weights of bursa of Fabricius and spleen were not significantly affected in experimental groups exposed to OTA as compared to control groups determined on days 28 and 42 of age. 3. Serum enzymes (LDH, GGT and AST) values in OTA treated groups determined on days 28 and 42 were higher than those of the control group. 4. Histopathological examination of kidney on day 42 revealed degenerative changes in the epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubules and massive necrosis of the proximal tubular epithelial cells. These changes were less marked in birds receiving 0.5 mg/kg OTA than in those receiving 1 mg/kg. In general, histological changes in kidneys, liver, bursa and spleen were less pronounced in birds receiving OTA and toxin deactivator concomitantly. 5. Dietary OTA at 0.5 and 1 mg/kg adversely affects FCR, increases the serum liver enzymes and induces pronounced pathomorphological and histological changes in internal organs of broiler chicks. Co-administration of OTA with deactivator attenuated the harmful effects.     

Renal lesions in spontaneous insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the nonobese diabetic mouse: acute phase of diabetes

The nonobese diabetic mouse is a model of spontaneous insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The present study made longitudinal observations of renal lesions in the acute-progressive phase of diabetic mice 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 days after onset of diabetes without insulin therapy. Plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen concentrations gradually increased after onset of diabetes. Kidney weight increased and plateaued at day 20. Under electron microscopy the glomeruli demonstrated only mild changes on day 40. In the proximal tubules proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive nuclei and nuclear divisions were increased on days 10 and 20. On day 40 of diabetes, increased periodic acid-Schiff-positive granules, confirmed as lysosomal dense bodies, increased neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) positive reaction, and decreased periodic acid-Schiff staining in the brush border were observed in the proximal straight tubules. In the juxtaglomerular apparatus stratified macula densa were decreased with time in diabetes compared with the findings on day 0, and this macula densa positively reacted with nNOS. No changes in renin levels were observed. In addition, apoptotic cells were not detected. In conclusion, this research represents the first thorough characterization of acute changes in nonobese diabetic mouse kidneys. The results demonstrated renal hypertrophy and slight glomerular injury in early stages and structural alteration of the proximal straight tubules at later stages during the acute phase of diabetes. Furthermore, increased nNOS may represent one of the pathogenic factors of diabetic nephropathy.     

柠檬酸对小鼠精子特性和睾丸组织形态结构的影响

60只雄性小鼠随机分为4组,每天分别腹腔注射0.2mL的0.9%生理盐水或7.5、15、30g/L CA,于14、21d测定曲细精管精子的生成及附睾内精子特性的相关数据。结果显示,随柠檬酸处理剂量的增加精子的生成数减少。14d时,对照组与15、30g/L CA组间、7.5、30g/L CA组间曲细精管内精子的生成差异显著（P〈0.05）;21d时,对照组与柠檬酸处理组间及7.5、15g/L CA与30g/L CA处理组间曲细精管内精子的生成有显著差异（P〈0.05）。柠檬酸对附睾精子品质的影响表现为：对照组与柠檬酸处理组间及柠檬酸处理组间精子密度和活动率差异均显著（P〈0.05）;对照组和15、30g/L CA处理组及15g/L CA与30g/L CA处理组间精子活力差异显著（P〈0.05）;精子的畸形率随柠檬酸浓度的增加而增加,15g/L CA处理组精子畸形率显著高于对照组（P〈0.05）,30g/LCA处理组显著高于对照组和7.5g/L CA（P〈0.05）处理组。组织形态学观察结果表明柠檬酸能破坏睾丸正常组织形态结构。柠檬酸高剂量组的生精小管内生精细胞排列疏松、紊乱,生精细胞间出现空隙;生精小管中的生精细胞脱落或退化,精原细胞、精母细胞和精子数量明显减少。研究表明,外源柠檬酸雄性小鼠具有显著的生殖遗传毒性。     

纳米硒对波尔山羊睾丸发育的影响

为了研究日粮中添加纳米硒对公羊睾丸发育的影响,试验选用体重、日龄接近的20只波尔山羊公羔羊随机分2组,1组日粮中添加0.3mg/kg的纳米硒(以硒计),另一组饲喂基础日粮,预试2周,试验期每月测量睾丸周径、长度和高度,每组阉割1只公羔,按照常规方法制作石蜡切片,观察睾丸组织结构。结果显示,3月龄时纳米硒组睾丸间质组织增生发育,4月龄时纳米硒组睾丸曲精细管中精原细胞开始发育分化;5月龄时曲精细管中可见大量的精子,而对照组间质组织以及曲精细管发育、精母细胞发育分化较纳米硒组缓慢。试验表明,日粮中添加一定浓度的纳米硒能够促进睾丸间质组织及曲精细管的发育,促进精母细胞的分化。