Morphological Differences in the Renal Vasculature of Hypertensive and Normal Rats
Location
CSU North Ballroom
Start Date
24-4-2006 1:30 PM
End Date
24-4-2006 3:30 PM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Michael Bentley
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
In human hypertension there are physiological changes in the kidney. The Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) is a genetic strain of rat that develops hypertension similar to humans. Using these Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHRs), we explored the differences in kidney morphology between normal and SHRs. In order to study kidney vasculature, the rats were first anesthetized and a catheter was placed into the aorta. Mercox plastic was then infused into the vasculature of the kidney and allowed to polymerize. The kidneys were removed and placed in a concentrated base or enzyme solution to remove the surrounding tissue leaving an exact plastic cast of the internal circulatory structures of the kidney. Samples were then prepared for examination by scanning electron microscopy. A computer program was used in conjunction with microscopy to provide quantifiable data on the physical features of the casts. Both inner and outer cortical glomeruli were examined and their afferent arterioles were measured. Preliminary results revealed a smaller diameter of afferent arterioles in SHRs as compared to that of normal rats. These data suggest a link between renal morphology and hypertension.
Morphological Differences in the Renal Vasculature of Hypertensive and Normal Rats
CSU North Ballroom
In human hypertension there are physiological changes in the kidney. The Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) is a genetic strain of rat that develops hypertension similar to humans. Using these Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHRs), we explored the differences in kidney morphology between normal and SHRs. In order to study kidney vasculature, the rats were first anesthetized and a catheter was placed into the aorta. Mercox plastic was then infused into the vasculature of the kidney and allowed to polymerize. The kidneys were removed and placed in a concentrated base or enzyme solution to remove the surrounding tissue leaving an exact plastic cast of the internal circulatory structures of the kidney. Samples were then prepared for examination by scanning electron microscopy. A computer program was used in conjunction with microscopy to provide quantifiable data on the physical features of the casts. Both inner and outer cortical glomeruli were examined and their afferent arterioles were measured. Preliminary results revealed a smaller diameter of afferent arterioles in SHRs as compared to that of normal rats. These data suggest a link between renal morphology and hypertension.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Dave; Jolene Smith; and Ken Willaert. "Morphological Differences in the Renal Vasculature of Hypertensive and Normal Rats." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 24, 2006.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2006/poster-session-B/4
