Ground Substance and Calcification: The Influence of Dye Binding on Experimental Nephrocalcinosis

Abstract

The role of the state of the ground substance in renal calcification was investigated in young rats. Group 1 received parathormone (1000 - 1625 units); group 2 received parathormone either with toluidine blue or desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) or after unilateral nephrectomy; group 3 was given Ca; and group 4 served as controls. At the end of each expt. the animals were sacrificed and histologically examined for calcifications. Parathormone in the higher dosages used caused calcification, and this calcification was markedly enhanced by alteration of the ground substance (due to toluidine blue and after unilateral nephrectomy). DOCA, on the other hand, almost completely inhibited nephrocalcinosis. Admn. of Ca alone did not produce calcification. Calcification induced by parathormone may not be entirely due to its ability to raise serum Ca levels. The state of the connective tissue is vitally concerned with calcifiability. Altering the state of the ground tissue by means of toluidine blue, DOCA, or renal hypertrophy increases or decreases nephro-calcinosis.