Development of glomerular lesions in experimental long-term diabetes in the rat

Many questions concerning the development of glomerulopathy in diabetic patients still challenge research in the field, but for some of these questions answers cannot be sought in humans. Knowledge of certain aspects of the development of glomerular lesions in the diabetic state can be achieved by studying animal models. It is well established from a great number of studies that several animal species with an induced diabetic state develop glomerular structural abnormalities [1]. Before preparing an animal experiment for a specific purpose, it is important to know whether or not the animal in question is useful as a model for the structural abnormality under study. Any particular experimental animal model of diabetes mellitus may well conform to the human condition in some aspects and differ in others. The aim of the present study was to obtain a quantitative description of glomerular structures relevant to diabetic glomerulopathy over a long duration of diabetes in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Additionally, information was sought concerning the course of the rapid and initial glomerular hypertrophy characterized by an enlarged glomerular surface [2, 3].