Nephron Numbers in Patients with Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome (MCNS) and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)

Korean Journal of Nephrology 2007;26(5):548-553.

Hyun Hee Hwang, M.D.4, Bong Sik Yoon, M.D.1, Kee Hyuck Kim, M.D. Sug kyun Shin, M.D.2, Ea Wha Kang, M.D.2, Tae Hyun Yoo, M.D.2 and Jeong Hye Kie, M.D.3

Departments of Pediatrics¹
Internal Medicine²
and Pathology³
NHIMC Ilsan Hospital, Ilsan Departments of Pediatrics⁴
Yonsei University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

미세변화 신증후군과 국소성 분절성 사구체경화증에서 사구체 크기와 수의 비교

황현희4 윤봉식1 김기혁1 신석균2 강이화2 유태현2 기정혜3

국민건강보험공단 일산병원 소아과1, 내과2 , 병리과3 , 연세대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실4

Abstract

Purpose : It has been proposed that a decreased nephron number may be associated with the increased risk of glomerulosclerosis. In order to test the hypothesis that a reduced number and an increased volume of glomeruli may contribute to the pathogenesis of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), we compared the number and volume of glomeruli between 9 patients with FSGS and 8 with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). Methods : Mean glomerular volume was measured using the method of Weibel and Gomez. An estimate of glomerular number (index) was obtained by multiplying the cortical volume of a kidney by the fraction of renal cortex made up of glomeruli and dividing this by the mean glomerular volume for that kidney×106. We determined kidney volume from ultrasonographic measurement. Results : Patients with FSGS had significantly greater glomerular volume than patients with MCNS [2.02±0.36 (×106 μm3) vs. 1.57±0.27 (×106 μm3)] (p<0.025). However, there was no significant difference in the index of glomerular number (estimated glomerular number) between FSGS & MCNS patients (2.8±1.4 vs. 3.0±0.8). Conclusion : The glomerular volume was greater in FSGS patients than MCNS patients. But there was no significant difference in the index of glomerular number between patients with FSGS and MCNS.

Key Words: Kidney glomerulus, Nephrotic syndrome, Minimal change, Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis