EFFECT OF HEMODYNAMIC FACTORS IN RENAL GLOMERULUS II. CYTOCHEMISTRY OF GLOMERULAR BASEMENT MEMBRANE AND MESANGIUM IN THE EXPERIMENTAL CONGESTIVE KIDNEY

Abstract

In our previous reports we discussed the morphological changes in the cellular and acellular components of the renal glomerulus occuring in an experimental congestive kidney model using rabbits. In the present investigation, the second of a series, the changes in the glomerular basement membrane and mesangium at 6-7 months after the congestive procedure were observed by using the following cytochemical methods: ruthenium red (RR) staining, periodic acid-silver methenamine (PAM) staining, performic acid-phosphotungstic acid (PFP) reaction, and dextran tracer.
In both control and congestive groups, the basement membrane and the masangial matrix were intensely stained with RR and PAM, and slightly stained with PFP. RR-stained particles, which indicate anionic sites, were observed to have a quasiregular pattern in the basement membrane and the mesangial matrix in both the control and congestive groups. The distribution pattern of infused dextran in the mesangium of the congestive kidney was essentially similar to that of the control. In conclusion, the altered acellular components in the congestive kidney are cytochemically similar to those of the control acellular component proper.