INVESTIGATIVE UROLOGY

Maternal gestational protein-calorie restriction decreases the number of glomeruli and causes glomerular hypertrophy in adult hypertensive rats
Almeida JR, Mandarim-de-Lacerda CA
Laboratory of Morphometry and Cardiovascular Morphology, Biomedical Center, Institute of Biology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005; 192: 945–51

• Objective: This work analyzed the renal function and structure in offspring rats that were submitted to maternal protein-calorie restriction during prenatal or lactation periods.
• Study design: Kidneys from adult offspring were studied. Animals from mothers that were submitted to food restriction were separated in 3 groups: control, prenatal restriction, and lactation restriction. Blood pressure, microalbuminuria, and glomerular filtration rate were determined. Kidney cortical remodeling was analyzed with stereology; volume-weighted glomerular volume and the number of glomeruli were estimated.
• Results: Adult prenatal restriction offspring showed enhanced microalbuminuria, decreased glomerular filtration rate, and hypertension; their kidneys showed a smaller number of hypertrophied glomeruli than control and lactation restriction animals.
• Conclusion: Maternal prenatal protein-calorie restriction in rats causes kidney disease in adult offspring, which is characterized by hypertension and renal dysfunction and suggests secondary kidney remodeling because of an impairment of glomerulogenesis.
  
  
• Editorial Comment
  This is one more important study from the State University of Rio de Janeiro on the effects of maternal protein and energy malnutrition during prenatal or lactation periods.
  After an extensive study using different methodologies, the authors found that rats prenatally submitted to undernutrition became hypertensive and proteinuric. On the other hand, the effects on the renal function and blood pressure are not evident when the protein-calorie restriction takes place after birth.

Dr. Francisco J.B. Sampaio
Full-Professor and Chair, Urogenital Research Unit
State University of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil