Lectin histochemical study on the kidney of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic hamsters

Abstract

Lectin histochernical characteristics of the kidney of normal and streptozotocin (SZ)-induced diabetic APA harnsters were investigated. Paraffin sections of the kidney of animals killed at 1 and 3 rnonths after SZ-injection were stained with the following 10 lectins: PNA, BPA, DBA, SBA, GSA-1, GSA-11, MPA, WGA, UEA-1 and Con A. Renal lectin binding characteristics of normal APA harnsters differed in sorne aspects from those in other species reported previously. In the kidney of SZ-induced diabetic APA hamsters, binding activities of sorne lectins increased in the affected Bowman's capsules and glorneruli as well as in degenerated epithelial cells of uriniferous tubules. Among thern, GSA-11 in particular exhibited strong binding activity to the degenerated epithelial cells of Bowman's capsules, dista1 convoluted tubules and collecting ducts.