Focal Segmental Glomerular Hyalinosis and/or Sclerosis in Rats with Congenital Unilateral Hydronephrosis

Focal segmental glomerular hyalinosis and/or sclerosis (FSHS) was observed in five Wistar-Imamichi rats with congenital unilateral hydronephrosis (CUH rats). Marked proteinuria (164.9+138.4mg/day) was observed in the CUH rats. Immunoperoxidase staining for IgM, C3 and IgG was positive in the glomerull, showing in a focal, segmental pattern that corresponded to the areas of FSHS seen by light microscopy. These glomerular findings were extremely similar to those of human focal glomerular sclerosis (FGS). FSHS was found to be common to both the hydronephrotic kidney and the contralateral kidney without hydronephrosis. Morphometry revealed that the glomerular area of the juxtamedullary glomeruli was greater than that of superficial glomeruli in control rats (11,037 μm² vs. 6,847 μm²). On the other hand, glomerular hypertrophy was observed in non-sclerotic glomeruli of CUH rats (superficial glomeruli; 12,477–16,123 μm², juxtamedullary glomeruli; 14,635–18,418 μm²). Also, a decreased in the number of glomeruli within the range 1.8-4.1 per unit area (1 mm²) was seen in CUH rats compared with control rats (mean 4.4). These results suggest that the increased rate of development of FSHS is based on hyperfiltration in the remaining functional nephrons. Acta Pathol Jpn 41: 653–660, 1991.