Uninephrectomized High-Fat-Fed Nicotinamide-Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats: A Model for the Investigation of Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetes

Figure 8

Transmission electron microscopic examination of the glomerular basement membranes (GBM) in control and NA-STZ-induced diabetic groups at week 20. (a) Representative electron microphotographs (magnification ×3200): white arrows indicate the thickness of the GBM; black arrows show foot process effacement characterized by loss of normal interdigitation pattern. Foot processes of the podocytes are fewer and wider; M: mesangium; EC: glomerular endothelial cell; MC: mesangial cells. Red blood cell (RBC) is seen in the capillary lumen (CL). Nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetes at week 20 caused early electron features of diabetic nephropathy such as marked irregular thickening of the capillary GBM and partial fusion of the podocytes in high-fat-fed heminephrectomized rats. The GBM of control rats is markedly thinner and no electron dense deposits are present in mesangial region. The mesangium from control nondiabetic rats is not prominent and does not compress the capillary lumen. (b) Quantification of the thickness of the GBM from control nondiabetic and NA-STZ-induced diabetic groups. Mean values and standard deviations are shown.

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