PERITUBULAR CAPILLARIES - A MAJOR TARGET SITE OF ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED VASCULAR INJURY IN THE PRIMATE KIDNEY

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 43  (4) , 327-332
Abstract
Light microscopy and EM were used to study the kidneys of rhesus monkeys infused with a single bolus of [Escherichia coli] endotoxin (10 mg/kg) or continuously at the rate of 10 mg/kg per h for periods of up to 22 h. Controls included monkeys infused with Ringer''s lactate solution. Only minor morphologic changes were seen in animals receiving a bolus of endotoxin. In the animals continuously infused, sequestration of neutrophils and monocytes was observed in the peritubular capillaries and to a lesser extent in the glomeruli. These changes were associated with phagocytosis of endotoxin, occasional fibrin deposits and extensive endothelial cell damage with focal capillary disruption. Changes found in the advanced stages included prominent interstitial edema with focal necrosis of tubular epithelium. Endothelial cell changes seen in the glomeruli were far less severe than those observed in the peritubular capillaries. Data indicate that endothelial damage and associated events relating to the sequestration of phagocytic leukocytes primarily involve the peritubular capillaries and that this inflammatory process plays a basic role in the development of acute tubular necrosis during shock associated with endotoxemia.