Studies were made on histochemical changes of the human adrenals. There was no great difference in histochemical findings between essential hypertensive patients and normotensive subjects.In zona glomerulosa, enhanced activities of enzymes were remakrably observed in case of renal hypertension.In primary aldosteronism, hypertrophy occured to the non-tumorous portion in case of the zona glomerulosa and increased enzymatic activity was recognized in this zone.Adrenocortical hyperplasia with clinical evidence of Cushing's syndrome, the zona glomerulosa exhibited too complicated histochemical changes to demonstrate any distinct conclusions.
A left renal artery aneurysm was found in a 45-year-old normotensive man. In an attempt to evade the possible occurrence of aneurysmal rupture, aneurysmectomy in addition to left renal biopsy (first surgery) was performed. This vascular operation led to a virtually complete renal artery stenosis concomitant with the development of hypertension. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and levels of plasma prostaglandins were also increased following this failed surgery. Reconstruction of the affected renal artery was technically so difficult that left nephrectomy was carried out (second surgery). Renal specimens obtained at the first surgery revealed no histological abnormalities. Discriminating histological findings of the kidney obtained at the second surgery were remarkable; hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular cells producing renin and hyperplasia of the renomedullary interstitial cells which had pecularities similar to cells known to secrete renal prostaglandins. High levels of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and plasma prostaglandins after the first surgery were reduced following the second surgery. It is suggested that acute constriction of the renal artery led to a hyperplastic change of the the juxtaglomerular cells and the renomedullary interstitial cells and stimulated an inappropriate release of renin and renal prostaglandins.
AbstractThe hypoosmotic swelling test is a simple test for measuring the functional competence of human sperm membrane. Thirty-five patients with varicocele were assessed by hypoosmotic swelling test and the results were compared with those in patients with idiopathic infertility. Percentage of swollen sperm in varicocele tended to be lower than that in idiopathic infertility, especially in sperm concentration between 30 × 106/mL and 40 × 106/mL. Varicocele with sperm motility of 40% or more revealed lower percentage of swollen sperm than idiopathic infertility did. The results indicate that varicocele may particularly injure sperm membrane function because hypoosmotic swelling test is a test for measuring functional ability of human sperm membrane. The percentage of swollen sperm recovered after the operation earlier than did the other sperm parameters such as sperm concentration or motility, which indicates that impaired sperm membrane injury by varicocele is reversible.Key Words: Hypoosmotic swelling testVaricoceleIdiopathic infertility