Abstract
In order to determine the causes of human diabetic angiopathy, we have been studying renal lesions in KK mice and have made the following observations:
1) Abnormal glucose tolerance in KK mice was recognized when they were 4 months old, and was most remarkable at 6 months. The glucose tolerance, however, was inclined to be normalized at 16 months of age.
2) In two-month-old KK mice, glomerular lesions such as the segmental thickening of the basement membrane, similiar to those observed in diabetic patients, could be found with an electron microscope. The increase of mesangium matrix in six-month-old mice and the glomerular lesions in sixteen-month-old mice were also recognized with a light microscope.
3) The glomerular lesions of KK mice developed as they grew older, which could be clearly proved by the G. L. I. (glomerular lesion index).
4) It is expected that by observing the growth of glomerular lesions in KK mice we can appreciate better the causes of human diabetic angiopathy.
It is concluded that the development of glomerular lesions in KK mice is affected not only by a basic disturbance of glucose metabolism, but also by the advancing age.
