AGE AND SEX PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN RENAL DISEASE
M.J. Pomeroy, J.L. Robertson
Viginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Phase II, DBSP
Blacksburg, VA 24061
This study intends to determine how the collagenous matrix in the mammalian
kidney changes over time with increasing age. It is well documented that
the incidence of renal disease, and therefore renal dysfunction, increases
with age in many species of mammals. However, there are no published
lifetime studies of renal pathology in laboratory housed dogs, which serve
as a primary model system in chronic toxicology studies. Alterations in
structure and function may significantly affect study analysis.
We are currently analyzing the morphology of renal tissue from a collection
of 135 Beagle dogs maintained for their entire lifespan in well-controlled
conditions. Using the WHO classification system for renal pathology and
computerized morphometric imaging, we are quantifying lesions and performing
statistical analysis of measured changes. This data is being correlated with
data detailing alterations (decrements) in renal function with advancing age.
Histochemical characterization of the collagenous matrix of the kidney is also
being used to determine the role of collagen structure in age-related disease.
Our preliminary results indicate a surprisingly high incidence of
glomerulosclerosis, which develops in middle age, defined as 3-7 years, leading
to progressive fibrosis and tubular loss as the animal ages. We speculate that
dogs may be predisposed to progressive lesions and renal dysplasia. These
concepts can be extrapolated to humans with renal failure, not as a result of
systemic disease, but rather due to age.
Key words:
glomerulosclerosis, aging, kidney, renal, lesions
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