Kidney changes in lambs fed cactus pear varieties resistant to Dactylopius opuntiae as the only roughage.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of four varieties of cactus pear resistant to carmine cochineal as exclusive roughage for lambs on the biochemical, histopathological, and histomorphometric parameters of kidneys. Twenty-four castrated male crossbred lambs at eight months of age and an initial body weight of 21.0 ± 0.5 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and six repetitions. The experimental treatments consisted of four diets containing Miúda cactus pear, IPA-Sertânia cactus pear, IPA-F21 cactus pear, or Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM) cactus pear as the only roughage. Blood samples were collected every two weeks (14 d, 28 d, 42 d, and 56 d) to quantify serum urea and creatinine levels. After 72 days of the introduction of the tested diets, the animals were slaughtered and fragments of the kidneys were collected for histological analysis. The serum urea level was higher in animals fed a diet based on the Miúda variety (49.38 mg dL-1), and the serum creatinine levels were lower in the last two collections (P = 0.009). The most frequent histopathological findings in the kidneys were calcification, congestion, glomerular atrophy, presence of luminal cellular debris, and nephrosis, regardless of the cactus pear variety. The Miúda cactus pear and OEM cactus pear varieties caused more severe damage to the nephron components, while the varieties IPA F-21 and IPA-Sertânia caused less significant injuries. The use of IPA-Sertânia and IPA F-21 cactus pear varieties is suggested in lamb's diets, due to the lower impact on the renal parenchyma. However, there was no expressive impairment of renal function, and there was no difference between the cactus pear varieties tested in this study on the weight gain of the animals, and they can all be used to feed feedlot sheep.

Renal Morphology in Coronavirus Disease: A Literature Review.

Renal biopsy is useful to better understand the histological pattern of a lesion (glomerular, tubulointerstitial, and vascular) and the pathogenesis that leads to kidney failure. The potential impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on the kidneys is still undetermined, and a variety of lesions are seen in the kidney tissue of coronavirus disease patients. This review is based on the morphological findings of patients described in case reports and a series of published cases. A search was conducted on MEDLINE and PubMed of case reports and case series of lesions in the presence of non-critical infection by SARS-CoV-2 published until 15/09/2020. We highlight the potential of the virus directly influencing the damage or the innate and adaptive immune response activating cytokine and procoagulant cascades, in addition to the genetic component triggering glomerular diseases, mainly collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, tubulointerstitial, and even vascular diseases. Kidney lesions caused by SARS-CoV-2 are frequent and have an impact on morbidity and mortality; thus, studies are needed to assess the morphological kidney changes and their mechanisms and may help define their spectrum and immediate or long-term impact.

Kidney anatomy, histology and histometric traits associated to renosomatic index in Gymnotus inaequilabiatus (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae)

The Gymnotus inaequilabiatus is a Neotropical fish widely distributed in marginal areas of bays. The aim of this study was to describe the main histological and histopathological traits in the head and exocrine kidney. Here, histometric and structural density techniques were associated with renosomatic index (RSI). The kidney was processed for light microscopy. Lipofuscin and hemosiderin content were visually estimated in the melonomacrophages centers (MMCs). All the biometric body variables were correlated with RSI, especially the kidney weight and gross lesions count. The general architecture of head and exocrine kidney was similar to that described for other teleost species. MMCs were prevalent in both portions and correlated with RSI in the head and exocrine kidney. Granulomatous structures were often observed in both portions; however, they were associated only in the exocrine kidney with RSI. Of all the structures hystometrically estimated, only proximal tubular diameter and thickness, and distal tubular thickness were correlated to renosomatic index. The RSI is an useful biometric variable that represent some physiological and morphological characteristics of kidney in G. inaequilabiatus. These findings may be used in future studies to evaluate the effects of environmental stressors on the renal adaptative physiological process.(AU)

Gymnotus inaequilabiatus é um peixe neotropical amplamente distribuído em áreas marginais de baías. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever características anatômicas, histológicas e histopatológicas no rim cefálico e exócrino. Análises histométricas e a densidade volumétrica estrutural foram associadas ao índice renossomático (IRS). Fragmentos de ambos tecidos foram processados para análise e microscopia de campo claro. O conteúdo de lipofuscina e hemossiderina foi estimado visualmente nos centros de melanomacrófagos (CMMs). Todas as variáveis corporais biométricas foram correlacionadas com o IRS, principalmente o peso renal e a contagem de lesões superficiais. A arquitetura geral do rim cefálico e exócrino foi semelhante à descrita para outras espécies de teleósteos. Os CMMs foram frequentes em ambas as porções e correlacionaram-se com o IRS. Estruturas granulomatosas foram frequentemente observadas em ambas porções; no entanto, foram associadas ao IRS apenas no rim exócrino. De todas as estruturas estimadas histometricamente, apenas o diâmetro e espessura dos túbulos proximais e distais correlacionaram-se ao IRS. Este índice mostrou-se uma variável útil associada a características fisiológicas e morfológicas do rim de G. inaequilabiatus. Esses achados podem ser empregados em futuros estudos a fim de avaliar efeitos ambientais bem como processos adaptativos fisiológicos.(AU)

Kidney anatomy, histology and histometric traits associated to renosomatic index in Gymnotus inaequilabiatus (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae)

The Gymnotus inaequilabiatus is a Neotropical fish widely distributed in marginal areas of bays. The aim of this study was to describe the main histological and histopathological traits in the head and exocrine kidney. Here, histometric and structural density techniques were associated with renosomatic index (RSI). The kidney was processed for light microscopy. Lipofuscin and hemosiderin content were visually estimated in the melonomacrophages centers (MMCs). All the biometric body variables were correlated with RSI, especially the kidney weight and gross lesions count. The general architecture of head and exocrine kidney was similar to that described for other teleost species. MMCs were prevalent in both portions and correlated with RSI in the head and exocrine kidney. Granulomatous structures were often observed in both portions; however, they were associated only in the exocrine kidney with RSI. Of all the structures hystometrically estimated, only proximal tubular diameter and thickness, and distal tubular thickness were correlated to renosomatic index. The RSI is an useful biometric variable that represent some physiological and morphological characteristics of kidney in G. inaequilabiatus. These findings may be used in future studies to evaluate the effects of environmental stressors on the renal adaptative physiological process.(AU)

Gymnotus inaequilabiatus é um peixe neotropical amplamente distribuído em áreas marginais de baías. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever características anatômicas, histológicas e histopatológicas no rim cefálico e exócrino. Análises histométricas e a densidade volumétrica estrutural foram associadas ao índice renossomático (IRS). Fragmentos de ambos tecidos foram processados para análise e microscopia de campo claro. O conteúdo de lipofuscina e hemossiderina foi estimado visualmente nos centros de melanomacrófagos (CMMs). Todas as variáveis corporais biométricas foram correlacionadas com o IRS, principalmente o peso renal e a contagem de lesões superficiais. A arquitetura geral do rim cefálico e exócrino foi semelhante à descrita para outras espécies de teleósteos. Os CMMs foram frequentes em ambas as porções e correlacionaram-se com o IRS. Estruturas granulomatosas foram frequentemente observadas em ambas porções; no entanto, foram associadas ao IRS apenas no rim exócrino. De todas as estruturas estimadas histometricamente, apenas o diâmetro e espessura dos túbulos proximais e distais correlacionaram-se ao IRS. Este índice mostrou-se uma variável útil associada a características fisiológicas e morfológicas do rim de G. inaequilabiatus. Esses achados podem ser empregados em futuros estudos a fim de avaliar efeitos ambientais bem como processos adaptativos fisiológicos.(AU)

Renal Morphology, Clinical Findings, and Progression Rate in Mesoamerican Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Mesoamerican nephropathy (MeN) is a chronic kidney disease affecting rural inhabitants in Central America. We have previously described the renal morphology in 8 patients from El Salvador. To confirm the renal pathology, we have studied kidney biopsies from patients with MeN in Nicaragua. Follow-up urine and blood samples from both biopsy studies were collected to investigate the natural history. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. SETTINGS & PARTICIPANTS: In the kidney biopsy study, 19 male sugarcane workers in Nicaragua with suspected MeN were investigated with questionnaires, kidney biopsies, and blood and urine analysis. Inclusion criteria were age 20 to 65 years and plasma creatinine level of 1.13 to 2.49mg/dL or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 30 to 80mL/min/1.73m2. Exclusion criteria were proteinuria with protein excretion > 3g/24 h, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or other known kidney disease. In the follow up-study, blood and urine from the kidney biopsy study in Nicaragua (n=18) and our previous biopsy study of MeN cases in El Salvador (n=7) were collected 1 to 1.5 and 2 to 2.5 years after biopsy, respectively. OUTCOMES: Renal morphology, clinical, and biochemical characteristics, change in eGFR per year. MEASUREMENTS: eGFR was calculated using the CKD-EPI creatinine (eGFRcr), cystatin C (eGFRcys), and creatinine-cystatin C (eGFRcr-cys) equations. RESULTS: In the kidney biopsy study, participants had a mean eGFRcr of 57 (range, 33-96) mL/min/1.73m2. 47% had low plasma sodium and 21% had low plasma potassium levels. 16 kidney biopsies were representative and showed glomerulosclerosis (mean, 38%), glomerular hypertrophy, and signs of chronic glomerular ischemia. Mild to moderate tubulointerstitial damage and mostly mild vascular changes were seen. In the follow up-study, median duration of follow-up was 13 (range, 13-27) months. Mean change in eGFRcr was -4.4±8.4 (range, -27.7 to 10.2) mL/min/1.73m2 per year. Most patients had stopped working with sugarcane cultivation. LIMITATIONS: 3 biopsy specimens had 4 or fewer glomeruli. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the renal morphology of MeN: chronic glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage with glomerulosclerosis and chronic glomerular ischemia. Follow-up data show that eGFRs, on average, deteriorated.

Grape skin extract-derived polyphenols modify programming-induced renal endowment in prenatal protein-restricted male mouse offspring.

PURPOSE: Protein-restricted diet during pregnancy is related to oxidative stress and, as a consequence, damage to nephrogenesis. We investigated the effects of vinifera grape skin extract (ACH09)-derived polyphenols on preserving renal morphology of maternal protein-restricted 1-day-old offspring. METHODS: Female C57/Bl-6 mice were fed two different isocaloric diets: control diet (19.3 % protein) and low-protein diet (6 % protein) with access to water or to the extract dissolved in drinking water (19.3 % protein plus ACH09 200 mg kg(-1) day(-1) and 6 % protein plus ACH09 200 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) throughout gestation. Renal morphology-glomerular number N[glom]; renal maturity-vascular glomeruli and avascular glomeruli ratio (v-N[glom]/a-N[glom]); medullar and cortical volumes, as well as mean glomerular volume, were analyzed in male offspring. Hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase (CAT) activities were evaluated, and renal lipid peroxidation levels were measured. RESULTS: Maternal protein restriction affected birth weight and naso-anal length in low-protein offspring compared to control and ACH09 restored both parameters. Protein restriction increased lipid peroxidation in kidney and liver and reduced CAT activity in low-protein group compared to control. Supplementation with ACH09 reduced the kidney oxidative damage and restored the antioxidant activity of CAT. ACH09 prevented glomerular loss and renal immaturity in the offspring. CONCLUSION: The treatment of low-protein-fed dams during pregnancy with ACH09 provides protection from early-life deleterious renal morphological changes. The protective effect of ACH09 may involve antioxidant action and vasodilator effect of the extract.

Morphology and dissection technique of the kidney of the grey snapper lutjanus griseus (teleostei: lutjanidae) / Morfología y técnica de disección del riñón del pargo gris lutjanus griseus (teleostei: lutjanidae)

In order to describe the morphology of the kidney and implement its dissection technique, specimens of the grey snapper Lutjanus griseus were analyzed. The morphology of the kidney fits with the structural pattern of the higher teleosts, consisting of a large fusion of the right kidney with the left, with the exception of the anterior renal lobes. Both anterior renal lobes are separated by the retractores dorsales muscles and by the anchorage of the gas bladder to the vertebrae. Some cranial and spinal nerves, as well as ribs, blood vessels, the Baudelot's ligament, the sinus venosus of the heart, the precaudal vertebrae, and the gas bladder mark the surface of the kidney. The archinephric ducts are connected with the urinary bladder, from which the common urinary and urogenital leaves.

Con el objeto de describir la morfología del riñón y de implementar su técnica de disección, se analizaron ejemplares del pargo gris Lutjanus griseus. La morfología del riñón corresponde al patrón estructural de los teleósteos superiores, consistiendo en una amplia fusión del riñón derecho con el izquierdo, con excepción de los lóbulos renales anteriores. Ambos lóbulos renales anteriores están separados por los músculos retractores dorsales y por el anclaje de la vejiga gaseosa a las vértebras. Algunas estructuras marcan la superficie del riñón, como algunos de los nervios craneales y espinales, las costillas, vasos sanguíneos, el ligamento de Baudelot, el seno venoso del corazón, las vértebras precaudales y la vejiga gaseosa. Los conductos arquinéfricos se conectan a la vesícula urinaria, desde la cual sale el conducto urinario común.