STUDIES OF DIABETIC GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS USING AN IMMUNOFLUORESCENT TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Kidney Tissue from 22 patients with diabetes mellitus was examined using an immunofluorescent technique. The presence of the following substances was looked for: gamma G‐globulin, complement, beta‐lipoprotein, fibrinogen, albumin, insulin and anti‐insulin. Diffuse and nodular lesions were found in some, but not all cases, to contain slight amounts of gamma G‐globulin, and at times albumin. Fibrinoid caps and hyalinized arterioles revealed the presence of complement, beta‐lipoprotein, fibrinogen and occasionally gamma G‐globulin, but not albumin. There was no evidence for the presence of insulin or anti‐insulin in the kidney lesions. The results are discussed. They do not seem to support the theory of an immunologic pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.