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According to the WHO, about 3 million people die each year due to ambient air pollution. Most of the in vivo studies on the PM 2.5 effects have been done on respiratory and cardiovascular tissues. However, little is known about the effects on the tissues involved on xenobiotic removal, such as kidneys. In the present study we assess the harmful effects of sub-chronic exposure to PM 2.5 on the kidney, by investigating histologic and serum alterations in healthy and hypertensive rat models. Mean PM 2.5 concentrations during exposures were slightly above the daily WHO standard. Exposed animals showed fibrosis, mesangial expansion, decrease glomerular and tubular lumen volumes in kidneys, with an elevated BUN. Hypertensive animals also exhibited much more severe alterations than healthy animals. We conclude that PM 2.5 induces minimal or small-scale abnormalities that can be determinant for renal health preservation. Fil: Tavera Busso, Iván. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Mateos, Ana Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Juncos, Luis Isaias. Fundación J. Robert Cade; Argentina Fil: Canals, Norma. Oulton-inst D/diag y Tratamiento Ambulatorio; Argentina Fil: Carreras, Hebe Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina

In kidney transplantations, pathologists evaluate the architecture of both glomeruli, interstitium and tubules to assess the nephron status. An accurate assessment of glomerulosclerosis and tubular atrophy is crucial for determining kidney acceptance, which is currently based on the pathologists’ histological evaluations on renal biopsies in addition to clinical data. In this work, we present an automated algorithm, called RENTAG (Robust EvaluatioN of Tubular Atrophy & Glomerulosclerosis), for the segmentation and classification of glomerular and tubular structures in histopathological images. The proposed novel strategy combines the accuracy of a level-set with the semantic segmentation of convolutional neural networks to detect the glomeruli and tubules contours. In the TEST set, our method exhibited excellent performance in both glomeruli (dice score: 0.9529) and tubule (dice score: 0.9174) detection and outperformed all the compared methods. To the best of our knowledge, the RENTAG algorithm is the first fully automated method capable of quantifying glomerulosclerosis and tubular atrophy in digital histological images. The developed software can be employed for the analysis of pre-transplantation biopsies to support the pathologists' diagnostic activity.

Background Many kidneys donated for transplant in the United States are discarded because of abnormal histology. Whether histology adds incremental value beyond usual donor attributes in assessing allograft quality is unknown. Methods This population-based study included patients who received a deceased donor kidney that had been biopsied before implantation according to a prespecified protocol in France and Belgium, where preimplantation biopsy findings are generally not used for decision making in the allocation process. We also studied kidneys that had been acquired from deceased United States donors for transplantation that were biopsied during allocation and discarded because of low organ quality. Using donor and recipient characteristics, we fit multivariable Cox models for death-censored graft failure and examined whether predictive accuracy (C index) improved after adding donor histology. We matched the discarded United States kidneys to similar kidneys transplanted in Europe and calculated predicted allograft survival. Results In the development cohort of 1629 kidney recipients at two French centers, adding donor histology to the model did not significantly improve prediction of long-term allograft failure. Analyses using an external validation cohort from two Belgian centers confirmed the lack of improved accuracy from adding histology. About 45% of 1103 United States kidneys discarded because of histologic findings could be accurately matched to very similar kidneys that had been transplanted in France; these discarded kidneys would be expected to have allograft survival of 93.1% at 1 year, 80.7% at 5 years, and 68.9% at 10 years. Conclusions In this multicenter study, donor kidney histology assessment during allocation did not provide substantial incremental value in ascertaining organ quality. Many kidneys discarded on the basis of biopsy findings would likely benefit United States patients who are wait listed.

Oz (Ingilizce):OBJECTIVE: This experimental study was designed to evaluate radiation-induced kidney damage and the protective effect of apricot against it using histological parameters. MATERIAL and METHODS: Rats were divided into 6 groups each containing 10 Sprague Dawley rats as follows: Regc: Rats on a regular diet (control diet) for 28 weeks; control group. Regx: Rats on a regular diet for 28 weeks, XRE on last day of eighth week. Aprc: Rats on an apricot diet for 28 weeks; control for no XRE. Aprx: Rats on an apricot diet for 28 weeks, XRE on last day of eighth week. Reg+Aprc: Rats on a regular diet for 8 weeks, followed by an apricot diet for the following 20 weeks; control. Reg + Aprx: Rats on a regular diet for 8 weeks, XRE on last day of eighth week, followed by an apricot diet for 20 weeks. RESULTS: The kidneys of the control groups showed normal kidney histology, whereas Regx group showed major histopathological changes, such as glomerular collapse, hemorrhage, interstitial fibrosis and inflammatory infiltrates. The Aprx and Reg+Aprx groups showed smaller amounts of degeneration. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we suggest that agents with antioxidant properties such as apricot may have a positive effect in the treatment of renal diseases.

ABSTRACT Background: Persistent hyperglycaemia results in complications in diabetes mellitus (DM) and metformin is the baseline drug used in diabetic management. The effect of metformin on fasting blood glucose (FBG), homogenized kidney tissue malonyldehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls (PCO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and histology in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was investigated. Methods: Eighteen Sprague Dawley rats were assigned into three groups (n= 6 rats per group i.e. A; negative control on distilled water, B; positive control on distilled water and C; on 100 mg/kg/day metformin groups. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced using streptozotocin 65 mg/kg intraperitoneally and treatments were given daily by oral gavage for 3 weeks. Plasma fasting blood glucose (FBG), kidney tissue oxidative stress markers and histology were determined. Results: The results showed that FBG, MDA, and PCO levels were significantly higher in B group compared to A group, and lower in C group compared to B. The TAC level was significantly lower in B compared to A and higher in C compared to B group of rats. However, though histological study shows improvement in kidney histology in all treatments, kidney weight did not differ. Conclution: The results suggest that, metformin reduces oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats possibly through its antihyperglycaemic effect.

OBJECTIVES Scarce data exist regarding the effect of acute graft pyelonephritis on kidney histology after a kidney transplant. This study sought to assess the kidney histology at 1 month, and kidney function at 1 year, after acute graft pyelonephritis in kidney transplant patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS All kidney transplant patients with acute graft pyelonephritis between October 2006, and December 2008, underwent a kidney biopsy 1 month later (n=28). Histologic findings were compared with those observed in a control group (n=28) who underwent a protocol kidney biopsy at 1 year posttransplant and did not present with acute graft pyelonephritis. Patients were matched according to age, sex, and immunosuppressive regimen. RESULTS Kidney function was impaired by the acute graft pyelonephritis episodes at the time of biopsy. In 40% of patients, the estimated glomerular filtration rate did not return to baseline by 1 month after acute graft pyelonephritis and remained impaired thereafter. Three patients had features of acute rejection. Tubulitis was seen more frequently in the acute graft pyelonephritis group, especially in patients in whom estimated glomerular filtration rate did not completely recover by 1 month after acute graft pyelonephritis. Patients with acute graft pyelonephritis who had inflammatory infiltrate of > 20% 1 month after acute graft pyelonephritis had worse kidney function 1 year later. CONCLUSIONS After transplant, when kidney function remains impaired 1 month after acute graft pyelonephritis, kidney biopsies allowed graft rejection diagnosis and predicted kidney function recovery.

N-Acetyl-p-Aminophenol (APAP), aka acetaminophen, is the most commonly used over-the counter analgesic and antipyretic medication. However, its overdose leads to both liver and kidney damage. APAP-induced toxicity is considered as one of the primary causes of acute liver failure; numerous scientific reports have focused majorly on APAP hepatotoxicity. Alternatively, not many works approach APAP nephrotoxicity focusing on both its mechanisms of action and therapeutic exploration.Moringa oleifera(MO) is pervasive in nature, is reported to possess a surplus amount of nutrients, and is enriched with several bioactive candidates including trace elements that act as curatives for various clinical conditions. In this study, we evaluated the nephro-protective potential of MO leaf extract against APAP nephrotoxicity in male Balb/c mice. A single-dose acute oral toxicity design was implemented in this study. Group 2, 3, 4 and 5 received a toxic dose of APAP (400 mg/kg of bw, i.p) and after an hour, these groups were administered with saline (10 mL/kg), silymarin—positive control (100 mg/kg of bw, i.p), MO leaf extract (100 mg/kg of bw, i.p), and MO leaf extract (200 mg/kg bw, i.p) respectively. Group 1 was administered saline (10 mL/kg) during both the sessions. APAP-treated mice exhibited a significant elevation of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, sodium, potassium and chloride levels. A remarkable depletion of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT and GSH-Px with elevated MDA levels has been observed in APAP treated kidney tissues. They also exhibited a significant rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and decreased anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokine level in the kidney tissues. Disorganized glomerulus and dilated tubules with inflammatory cell infiltration were clearly observed in the histology of APAP treated mice kidneys. All these pathological changes were reversed in a dose-dependent manner after MO leaf extract treatment. Therefore, MO leaf extract has demonstrated some therapeutic effectiveness against APAP-induced nephrotoxicity through enhancement of the endogenous antioxidant system and a modulatory effect on specific inflammatory cytokines in kidney tissues.

Freshwater acclimatized spotted scat (Scatophagus argus) adults were adapted to 5, 10, 20 or 30 g/l seawater and observed for morphometric changes in gill and kidney histology at time points 1, 2, 10, 15 and 30 days. The overall histomorphological changes displayed by gill and kidney suggest two different phases of successful saltwater acclimation: an adaptive phase with adjustments in the abundance of gill chloride cells and renal collecting tubules, the diameter of glomerulus and collecting tubules, and the thickness of the muscular tissue of the collecting tubules; this gives way to a period with no further significant morphometric modifications.

The kidney histology of silver sea bream Sparus sarba adapted to different salinities was studied. Renal glomeruli in silver sea bream were grouped into clusters and two distinct types of glomeruli could be discerned. Expanded glomeruli were highly vascular, probably related to an active filtering role, while collapsed glomeruli had a shrunken appearance, probably related to an abated filtering role. Collecting tubules were lined by tall columnar cells and were more prominent and muscular in hypo-osmotic media. Chronic adaptation across a broad spectrum of salinities (0, 6, 12, 33 and 50) caused significant modifications in renal morphology. In hypo-osmotic media, a significant increase in glomerular number, size and percentage expanded glomeruli were found, which could facilitate water excretion. Collecting tubules exhibited an increase in thickness, diameter and muscularity that tended to favour a faster glomerular filtrate flow upon hypo-osmotic adaptation. Abrupt hypo-osmotic exposure induced rapid changes in the morphology of renal tubules. There was an increase in diameter and thickness of collecting tubules, suggesting increased glomerular filtrate flow was stimulated by hypo-osmotic exposure. The data suggested that the rapid change in kidney morphology is one of the osmoregulatory strategies of silver sea bream that may contribute to its ability to withstand abrupt hypo-osmotic challenge. A fast-acting mechanism that could be triggered within several hours could reorganize silver sea bream kidney so that the renal machinery is highly responsive to changes in environmental salinities.

Rat experiments indicate that oral ingestion of cadmium through drinking water leads to an accumulation of cadmium in bone, in addition to liver and kidney. After five weeks of cadmium intake in drinking water (50 to 100 mg/L), the bone cadmium levels increased in proportion to the intake concentration. Bone and kidney histology showed no signs of bone or kidney damage up to 5 wk of cadmium ingestion. Cadmium accumulation in bone was a primary phenomenon and not secondary to renal failure. In addition, cadmium levels have been estimated in a variety of sources, e.g., foodstuff, fertilizer, and sewage sludge, using neutron and proton activation analyses and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Cadmium levels of Canadian foods are in the range of 0.002-0.07 mg/kg, and soils are in the range of 0.55 to 1.72 mg/kg. Fertilizers contain cadmium from 0.3 to 1.25 mg/kg, whereas sewage sludge contains up to 122 mg/kg.

No Abstract. Global Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 5(1) 2006: 41-44

Common shrews ( Sorex araneus ) were fed on earthworms containing high concentrations of lead. Both the earthworms and shrews originated from uncontaminated areas, but earthworms for the “lead” group of shrews were reared in the laboratory for 3 or 4 weeks in highly Pb-polluted soil from near an old lead smelter. The control group of shrews received the same amount of earthworms from the uncontaminated area. The acceptance of the experimental food by shrews was significantly lower in the lead group; indicating that the shrews were able to detect the lead in their food. After 2 – 31 days of feeding, the shrews in the lead group had significantly higher Pb concentrations in their liver, kidney, bone, and pelt than did the controls. Both the number of deaths during the experiment and the proportion of individuals with changes in kidney histology were significantly higher in the lead group.

Spontaneous aging changes in the kidneys of the rat have been previously described. In the Lewis strain, we performed semiquantitative studies of kidney histology and quantitative studies of glomerular basement membrane thickness and mesangial area in animals aged 6–30 months. There is a progressive increase in glomerular basement membrane thickness and mesangial area throughout the life of the rat. Spontaneous glomerulosclerosis in the Lewis rat does not appear to be as extensive as in other strains. The importance of spontaneous glomerulosclerosis in studies of induced kidney disease is emphasized.

Proteinuria selectivity index (PSI) is a relatively simple test which in temperate countries has been used to select nephrotic children most likely to respond to corticosteroid therapy. It has been advocated that in nephrotic children aged 1 to 5 years renal biopsy could be avoided by doing PSI. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between PSI and kidney histology in nephrotic children in tropical Africa and whether PSI alone could be used in planning their treatment. PSI and renal biopsy were done on 40 nephrotic children. Histologic classification of kidney biopsies is presented and related to PSI values. No correlation was found between PSI values and histologic diagnoses.

Repeated intraperitoneal administration of oxytetracycline to male rats had minor effects at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg for 14 days. The 100-mg/kg doses resulted in changes in microsomal O-dealkylation and epoxidation, animal growth and kidney histology. Rats showed a dose-related depression of O-dealkylating activity early in the dosing schedule followed by a return to control values, while the activity of the epoxidation reaction was depressed late in the dosing schedule at the high dose only. Animals on the high dose also showed evidence of renal disease and a loss of weight as compared to controls.