Ultrastructure of the kidney of a South American caecilian,Typhlonectes compressicaudus (Amphibia,Gymnophiona)

Summary The ultrastructure of the distal nephron, the collecting duct and the Wolffian duct was studied in a South American caecilian, Typhlonectes compressicaudus (Amphibia, Gymnophiona) by transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM, SEM). The distal tubule (DT) is made up of one type of cell that has a well-developed membrane labyrinth established both by interdigitating processes and by interlocking ramifications. The processes contain large mitochondria, the ramifications do not. The tight junction is shallow and elongated by a meandering course. The connecting tubule (CNT) is composed of CNT cells proper and intercalated cells, both of which are cuboidal in shape. The CNT cells are characterized by many lateral interlocking folds. The intercalated cells have a dark cytoplasm densely filled with mitochondria. Their apical cell membrane is typically amplified by microplicae beneath which a layer of globular particles (studs) is found. The collecting duct (CD) is composed of principal cells and intercalated cells, again both cuboidal in shape. The CD epithelium is characterized by dilated intercellular spaces, which are often filled with lateral microfolds projecting from adjacent principal cells. The apical membrane is covered by a prominent glycocalyx. The intercalated cells in the CD are similar to those in the CNT. The Wolffian duct (WD) has a tall pseudostratified epithelium established by WD cells proper, intercalated cells and basal cells. The WD cells contain irregular-shaped dense granules located beneath the apical cell membrane. The intercalated cells of the WD have a dark cytoplasm with many mitochondria; their nuclei display a dense chromatin pattern.Research fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation     

Cell junctions in the renal tubule of a fresh-water teleost,Salmo gairdneri Rich.

Summary Cell junctions in the renal tubule of the fresh-water rainbow trout were studied with thin-section and freeze-fracture techniques. Gap junctions were restricted to the proximal tubule, which is consistent with other vertebrate classes. Segments I and II of the proximal tubule and the collecting tubule/collecting duct system exhibited a well-developed zonula occludens with anastomosing strands. The distal segment showed a narrow zonula occludens composed of few parallel strands. The structure of the occluding junctions along the renal tubule of this teleost displays several similarities with the pattern of the zonulae occludentes in the amphibian and the mammalian nephron. From these observations, in conjunction with available data from other vertebrate classes, it can be concluded that in the proximal tubule the development of a deep and complex zonula occludens is a general feature of cold-blooded vertebrates.     

Characterization of mapacalcine-sensitive Ca(2+) channels in rat kidney

Mapacalcine receptors have been found to be associated with a Ca(2+) permeability insensitive to all known calcium blockers. Recently, high densities of mapacalcine receptors have been detected in the choroid plexus of rat brain. To determine a possible role for these channels, we have investigated their presence on other structures which, like choroid plexus, are involved in the secretion of biological fluids. Our data demonstrate that there are specific mapacalcine receptors on kidney membranes and glomeruli preparations. The mapacalcine receptors were present in all structures of the kidney. However, autoradiographic data demonstrated that superficial part of the cortex was more labeled than the other part of the kidney. These data would suggest that mapacalcine receptors could play a role in calcium homeostasis.     

Benzodiazepine receptors along the nephron: [3H]PK 11195 binding in rat tubules

Binding of [3H]PK 11195, an isoquinoline carboxamide derivative, was measured in microdissected tubule segments of rat nephron. High specific binding capacities (1.1-1.8 fmol X mm-1) were found in the thick ascending limb of the Henle's loop and in the collecting tubule, whereas specific binding could not be detected in the proximal tubule. In the medullary collecting tubule, the association and dissociation rate constants at 4 degrees C were k1 = 3.0 X 10(6) M-1 X min-1 and k-1 = 0.021 min -1; the ratio k-1/k1 = 7.0 nM was in agreement with the estimated equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd = 2.4 nM). [3H]PK 11195 binding sites from medullary ascending limb and medullary collecting tubule revealed the following sequence of specificity: PK 11195 = Ro 5-4864 much greater than clonazepam, indicating that tubule binding sites might be the peripheral benzodiazepine receptors of the rat kidney.     

Analysis of early nephron patterning reveals a role for distal RV proliferation in fusion to the ureteric tip via a cap mesenchyme-derived connecting segment

While nephron formation is known to be initiated by a mesenchyme-to-epithelial transition of the cap mesenchyme to form a renal vesicle (RV), the subsequent patterning of the nephron and fusion with the ureteric component of the kidney to form a patent contiguous uriniferous tubule has not been fully characterized. Using dual section in situ hybridization (SISH)/immunohistochemistry (IHC) we have revealed distinct distal/proximal patterning of Notch, BMP and Wnt pathway components within the RV stage nephron. Quantitation of mitoses and Cyclin D1 expression indicated that cell proliferation was higher in the distal RV, reflecting the differential developmental programs of the proximal and distal populations. A small number of RV genes were also expressed in the early connecting segment of the nephron. Dual ISH/IHC combined with serial section immunofluorescence and 3D reconstruction revealed that fusion occurs between the late RV and adjacent ureteric tip via a process that involves loss of the intervening ureteric epithelial basement membrane and insertion of cells expressing RV markers into the ureteric tip. Using Six2-eGFPCre × R26R-lacZ mice, we demonstrate that these cells are derived from the cap mesenchyme and not the ureteric epithelium. Hence, both nephron patterning and patency are evident at the late renal vesicle stage.     

A functional model of the rat kidney

Summary A mathematical model of the nephron was developed by writing a set of material balance equations for the flow of urea, salt and water along the length of the nephron. The geometric proportions have been elaborated in a foregoing study and are taken here as a basis, in particular the model configuration of the collecting duct system. The medullary interstitial solute concentration profiles are taken to increase linearly in outer and inner zone. The several transepithelial fluxes are driven by diffusion, osmosis, solvent drag and active transport. The development of osmotic gradient in the inner medulla is taken here to be caused by active secretion of salt into the descending limb of Henle's loop. The parameters in the flux equations for all parts of the nephron and the concentration values at the end of each tubular section are determined by collecting and averaging the values given in literature and by extrapolating the measurement data.The simulation of the model equations with these averaged parameters resulted in concentration profiles which at the ends of the several tubular sections were consistent with the values observed in experimental investigations.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Mathematical analysis of multisolute renal flow in a single nephron model of the kidney

A single nephron model, which includes the Bowman's space, Cortical interstitium, and Pelvis as well-stirred baths, is investigated. A boundary value problem, which allows for pelvic reflux, is established for the fluid-multisolute flow in the nephron. The implicit function theorem is used to establish the existence and uniqueness of a solution of the boundary value problem for the case of small permeability coefficients and transport rates.Dedicated to Professor Emertius L. P. Burton, Auburn University, for the research guidance he gave this author thirty years agoSupported in part by NIH Grant 7-ROl-DK 38817     

后腹腔镜下保留肾单位肾部分切除术后肾功能的影响因素分析

目的:分析后腹腔镜下保留肾单位肾部分切除术后患肾肾功能的影响因素。方法:回顾性分析2011年5月~2013年10月本院收治的45例行后腹腔镜下肾部分切除术肾癌患者的临床资料,采用99mTc-DTPA肾核素扫描评估术前及术后3月术侧肾的肾小球滤过率(GFR)。结果:手术时间100~240min,平均(135±33.21)min。肾动脉阻断时间(20.01±7.35)min,肿瘤大小(3.05±1.24)cm。术前及术后3月术肾GFR分别是(46.53±6.35)、(32.22±4.65)ml/min。术侧肾术后GFR下降(15.36±2.36)ml/min,与术前相比下降约34%。经随访1月-2年,无复发及转移病例,患者全部无瘤生存。影响手术前后血肌酐水平变化的相关因素主要为手术时间、阻断时间、气流量、术中失血量(P0.05);影响手术前后GFR水平变化的相关因素主要为阻断时间、气流量、手术时间(P0.01)。术前肾功能情况、缺血时间和肿瘤最大径是术侧肾功能下降程度的独立预测因子;术前肾功能情况和肿瘤最大径是总体肾功能下降程度的独立预测因子。结论:后腹腔镜下保留肾单位肾部分切除术后患肾肾功能的影响因素包括术前肾功能、手术时间、肾动脉阻断时间、气流量、术中失血量、肿瘤大小等。     

肾盂灌注冲洗对肾脏功能和结构的影响

目的:探讨经皮肾镜碎石术肾盂灌注冲洗压对肾脏结构和功能的影响。方法:建立20头活体猪高压肾盂冲洗模型,建立24F肾造瘘通道,分别在0mmHg(作自身对照,只造瘘不灌注)、150mmHg、200mmHg、250mmHg、300mmHg压力下各冲洗30分钟。术中取肾组织送病理检查,监测肾单位光镜和电镜下的形态学改变;术后5天留取尿标本,应用免疫比浊测定法(ITM)检测尿微量白蛋白(ALB)和β2-微球蛋白(β2-MG);并于术后第5天再次取肾组织行病理检查观察肾单位的形态学改变。结果:所有灌注组术后都出现尿蛋白的增高,术后第1天和术前相比,都有显著差异(P<0.01)。形态学观察:当肾盂灌注冲洗压在150-200mmHg时,光镜下观察见肾小囊腔轻度扩张,压力超过250mmHg,肾小囊腔见红细胞和蛋白渗出物,肾小管扩张。电镜下见肾近曲小管上皮细胞内空泡形成,微绒毛排列杂乱、稀疏、部分微绒毛脱落。结论:肾盂灌注冲洗安全压不应超过200mmHg。