Histological studies on renal lesions of NZB mice treated by large doses of corticosteroids

Abstract

The effect of treatment of glomerulonephritis in NZB mice with large doses of corticosteroids were examined.Twenty-two mice were ranged no less than 10 months of age. From 6 months of age, 6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg/kg/day of prednisolone and 5 were with 30 mg/kg/day, twice a week.In the treated group, there were marked reduction of mesangial or paramesangial deposits and other abnormal findings of glomeruli, compared with the controls. These findings were compatible to that of human lupus nephritis treated with “pulse therapy”.It was conceivable that both anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects of corticosteroid might have prevented the development of overt glomerulonephritis.It was concluded that these therapeutic studies in NZB mice were worthy to assess on the efficacy of medicinal therapy in glomerulonephritis and it would be offered a promissing new approach to treat established human glomerulonephritis.