Physical Factors and Glomerulosclerosis

Glomerulosclerosis (GS) designates a pathological process within the glomerulus of some and perhaps all mammalian species. Laboratory rats and man have been the most studied. GS is characterized at the outset by increase in volume of the glomerular matrix of one, several or many lobules of the tuft of glomerular capillaries. This process progresses usually in association with proliferation of the mesangial cells of the affected glomerulus. The process ends with collapse of the glomerular capillaries and obliteration of Bowman’s space. In the absence of other pathology GS progresses relatively slowly, becoming evident first in a few glomeruli, the numbers increasing until as many as half or more may be found in various stages of sclerosis in the mature or old animal. Proteinuria is present and proportional to the number of affected glomeruli and the intensity of involvement.