Influences of chronic intermittent hypoxia on morphology and ultra-structure of renal tissue in the rats

Objective To discuss the influence of chronic intermittent hypoxia(CIH) on morphology and ultra-structure of renal tissue and its significance.Methods The oxygen and nitrogen input flow of the self-made CIH animal cabin could be adjusted through control procedures,so as to make sure the every hypoxic cycle lasted for 1 minute and the oxygen concentration within the cabin fluctuated between 7%～21%.18 rats were randomly divided into control and CIH groups respectively with each of nine.Rats of CIH group were exposed to intermittent hypoxia in the cabin 8 hours per day for successive 35 days.Oxygen and nitrogen were replaced by air for rats of control group with other conditions being the same as CIH group.Tissue morphology of kidney was examined through HE dyeing and ultra-structures of proximal tubular cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy.Results HE staining showed the renal tissue morphology of control group was normal.While in CIH group,high degree of swelling of glomerulus and proximal tubule epithelial cells with narrowed kidney balloon and tubal lumen were observed.The renal ultra-structures of control group were normal.Empty bubble degeneration,nuclear membrane and mitochondria swelling were observed in proximal tubular cells of CIH group.Conclusions Edema and ultra-structural abnormalities are induced in renal tissue under the condition of CIH,which may be related with OSAHS associated renal injury.