Structural Characteristics of Renomedullary Interstitial Cells of Hypertensive ISIAH Rats

The structural characteristics of the renal medulla and its interstitial cells were studied in hypertensive ISIAH rats (in comparison with normotensive WAG rats) in order to clear out the role of the renomedullary interstitial cells in the mechanisms of AP regulation. Morphometric electron microscopic analysis and immunohistochemical studies in ISIAH rats detected the initial signs of the renomedullary sclerosis. The renomedullary interstitial cells of ISIAH rats were characterized by higher numerical density and were larger in size, with a higher volumic share of their secretory granules. These structural features of the studied cells were regarded as signs of their more intense functional activity aimed at hypertension suppression.