Effect of heparin on the anionic sites of glomerular basement membrane in adriamycin nephrosis in rats.

The effect of heparin on the anionic sites of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in adriamycin-induced nephrotic rats was studied by means of calculating the polyethyleneimine (PEI) stained particles under electron microscope. The results showed that treatment with heparin under the anticoagulant effect markedly reduced the loss of anionic sites within lamina rara externa (LRE) of GBM and also the urinary protein excretion in nephrotic rats. The results demonstrated that one of the mechanisms of heparin in preventing the structural damage of glomeruli in kidney diseases was the reduction of the loss of anionic sites within LRE, indicating that changes in biomembrane charge played an important role in the pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome. The results provided a scientific basis for the use of heparin to treat glomerular diseases.