Abstract: Renal glomerular lesions in experimental hepatic cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride Were studied. Morphometric method was used to measure the diameter of the glomerulus and count the number of cells in the glomerulus. The number of cells and the size of the glomerulus varied with the severity of cirrhosis and the survival period of the experimental rats. Generally, the number of cells in the glomerulus was only temporarily increased followed by decrease in the cell number. The size of the glomerulus showed no change in precirrhotic stage and became enlarged after cirrhosis was formed. The enlagement of the glomerulus in the later stage of cirrhosis was due to thickening of the basement membrane and increase in the amount of mesangial matrix. Granular electron-dense deposits Were seen in the capillary basement membrane and mesangial matrix of the glomerulus. Glomerular capillary wall and mesangial matrix deposits of IgG was demonstrated by PAP immuno-histochemical method.

Key words: glomerulus, cirrhosis, carbon tetrachloride