Light and Electron Microscopy of Prednisolone-induced Nephropathy in Rabbits

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Abstract
Three adult rabbits given 1 mg prednisolone intramuscularly 4 times weekly for 12 weeks developed glycosuria and albuminuria, and became weak and flaccid. Light and electron microscopy reveals a variety of changes in the kidneys of the treated rabbits. By light microscopy, the glomerular tufts show congestion, capillary aneurysms, eosinophilic foci and cellular loss; Bowman''s space may contain blood and other elements; the cells lining Bowman''s capsule are sometimes degenerated or necrotic; and the tubules may exhibit fatty infiltration, intracytoplasmic hyaline droplets, an increase of acidophile cells in the collecting segments, cellular necrobiosis and necrosis and, like Bowman''s space, a content of blood and other substances. By electron microscopy, the glomerular tufts show two types of abnormal foci; one apparently results from proteinous occlusion of one or more degenerated capillaries such as may be normal in size and shape or dilated and locally collapsed, and the other consists in an axially located intermingling of basement membrane-like material and unusually osmiophilic endothelial cytoplasm; apart from such foci the podocytes may exhibit hyaline droplets, vacuolation, intense osmiophilia or loss of substance, while the endothelial cells are sometimes abnormally electron dense and vacuolated; the cells lining Bowman''s capsule may also be unusually osmiophilic and deposits of plasma-like material are occasionally noted in Bowman''s space; the tubular changes include intracytoplasmic hyaline droplets, luminal debris and dilation of the collecting tubules, but these are overshadowed by necrosis of the tubular cells, particularly in the collecting series. The experimental renal findings are considered in relation to human diabetic glomerulopathy.