Effects of long-term passive smoking on the diameter of glomeruli in rats: Histopathological evaluation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Long-term smoking increases the risk of renal diseases and it also causes the progression of the diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of smoking on glomeruli in healthy rats exposed to long-term passive smoking for a short period of time after birth. METHODS: Sixty-five rats were randomly assigned into four groups. Groups 1 (18 males) and 2 (18 females) were exposed to smoke, whereas groups 3 (15 males) and 4 (14 females) were not exposed to smoke. Overall, 130 renal units were evaluated, and diameters of 10 different glomeruli were measured. The renal and bodyweights of the rats were measured. RESULTS: The diameter of the glomeruli was 95.51 +/- 9.25 and 100.91 +/- 4.06 microm in groups 1 and 3, respectively (P < 0.05). It was 97.32 +/- 4.06 and 98.86 +/- 6.25 microm in groups 2 and 4, respectively (P > 0.05). Irrespective of the sex, the diameter of the glomeruli was 96.42 +/- 7.15 microm in smokers and 99.92 +/- 5.56 microm in non-smokers (P < 0.05). The renal weights of the male rats affected by smoke were significantly lower than that of those that were not affected by smoke (P < 0.05). Bodyweights of male rats affected by smoke were significantly lower that of those not affected (P < 0.05). There was a weak correlation between the diameter of the glomeruli and the bodyweights of male rats affected by smoke (r = 0.474, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that passive smoking might have a negative affect on renal morphometry and body growth.