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Quantitative analysis of renal inner medullary structure
Author(s) -
Pannabecker Thomas Lloyd,
Dantzler William H
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1216.4
Subject(s) - vasa recta , anatomy , transverse plane , medullary cavity , geology , chemistry , physics , biophysics , biology
3‐D architecture of vessels and nephrons of rat renal inner medulla (IM) was analyzed quantitatively. IM outer zone (first 3–3.5 mm) has collecting duct (CD) clusters with borders defined by Euclidean distance map as organizing motif. Descending thin limbs (DTLs) of Henle's loops and descending vasa recta (DVR) are located outside CD clusters on these independently defined borders. DTLs in first 1 mm lack AQP1 and in remaining 2–2.5 mm lack AQP1 for last 60%. Ascending thin limbs (ATLs) and ascending vasa recta (AVR) are inside and outside CD clusters. ∼50% of AVR tightly abut CDs. Nodal spaces inside clusters are bordered laterally by CDs, AVR, and prebends or ATLs, and vertically by interstitial cells. Surface area of prebends plus corresponding length of ATL (probable site of NaCl efflux) decreases vertically with periodic peaks and valleys. Peaks (av. ∼2500 μm 2 greater than valleys) may correspond to location of nodal spaces. In IM inner zone (last 1.5–2 mm), CD clusters disappear, all DTLs lack AQP1, all vasa recta are fenestrated, and loops are too few to show periodic prebend oscillations. Number of AVR abutting CDs increases with increasing CD diameter so that abutting surface area is unchanged. Nodal spaces are fewer, but larger. Final 0.5 mm has loops with narrow bends and loops with transverse bends. Transverse bends prevent surface area/medullary volume of prebends plus corresponding ATLs from decreasing. DK16294