PREVENTION OF DIABETIC GLOMERULOPATHY IN STREPTOZOTOCIN DIABETIC RATS BY INSULIN-TREATMENT - MESANGIAL REGIONS

A quantitative morphological study of the mesangial regions has been performed on the kidneys of two groups of insulin treated diabetic rats 6 months after the induction of diabetes. In one group reasonably good control of plasma glucose levels (182±20 (SD) mg/l00ml at 0800 h; 95±35 mg/100 ml at 2300 h) was achieved. This group showed no mesangial changes when compared to a non-diabetic control group. In the second diabetic group poor control was intended (plasma glucose 452±41mg/100 ml and 555±86mg/100 ml respectively). The following differences were noted when this group was compared to the non-diabetic controls and to the rats in which the blood glucose was well-controlled: 1. Increase in total mesangial volume per glomerulus by 42% and 38% (2p = 0.025 and 0.037); 2. Increase in the total amount of basement membrane-like material (BMLM) per glomerulus by 30 and 27% (2p = 0.030 and 0.046); 3. Increase in the total mesangial cell volume per glomerulus by 46 and 43% (2p = 0.033 and 0.048); 4. Increase in volume of electron dense material in the BMLM by about 200% compared to both groups (2p = 0.001 and 0.0003). The study has shown that the mesangial regions also are involved in the diabetic glomerulopathy of experimental diabetes. The morphological changes including increased amounts of basement membrane material are prevented by proper glycaemic control. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.