Decreasing podocyte number during human kidney intrauterine development.
Am J Physiol Renal Physiol
; 307(9): F1033-40, 2014 Nov 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25143452
ABSTRACT
Nephron number at birth has relevant clinical importance with implications for long-term renal health. In recent years, the podocyte depletion hypothesis has emerged as an important concept in kidney pathology. This study was aimed at verifying whether human podocyte number changes significantly during intrauterine life. To this end, 62 subjects with gestational ages ranging from 20 to 41 wk were examined. Kidney sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and digitally scanned at ×400 magnification. Subjects were subdivided into fetuses (gestational age≤24 wk, n=5), preterms (gestational age≥25 and ≤36 wk, n=39), and full-term newborns (gestational age≥37 wk, n=18). The average podocyte number of 1,908±645, 1,394±498, and 1,126±256 was, respectively, observed in fetuses, preterms, and full-term newborns. A significant main effect (P=0.0051) of gestational age on podocyte number was observed with a significantly lower number in full-term newborns than in fetuses (P<0.01). Intragroup variability was also observed. We speculate that variations in podocyte number could be correlated with factors such as drugs and maternal diet occurring during intrauterine life. In conclusion, this study shows, for the first time, a decreasing trend in podocyte number during gestation.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Podócitos
/
Rim
Limite:
Female
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Humans
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Male
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Newborn
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Physiol Renal Physiol
Assunto da revista:
FISIOLOGIA
/
NEFROLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article