Nephron Loss

Question 1

Question: What term describes the scarring observed in the glomeruli of individuals with renal disease?

Answer 1

Glomerulosclerosis

Question 2

What happens to intact glomeruli in response to the loss of nephrons?

Answer 2

Intact glomeruli undergo hypertrophy to maintain renal function.

Question 3

What are the hemodynamic changes associated with the adaptive alterations in glomeruli?

Answer 3

The changes include increases in single-nephron GFR, blood flow, and transcapillary pressure (capillary hypertension).

Question 4

What is the outcome of the “maladaptive” alterations caused by hemodynamic changes in glomeruli?

Answer 4

The alterations lead to further endothelial and podocyte injury, increased glomerular permeability to proteins, and accumulation of proteins and lipids in the mesangial matrix.

Question 5

What follows the accumulation of proteins and lipids in the mesangial matrix?

Answer 5

Capillary obliteration, increased deposition of mesangial matrix and plasma proteins, and eventually, segmental or global sclerosis of glomeruli.

Question 6

What does the progression to segmental or global sclerosis of glomeruli lead to?

Answer 6

It results in further reduction of nephron mass, initiating a vicious cycle of progressive glomerulosclerosis.