Histomorphometric Evaluation of Renal Cortical Microarchitecture Alterations Following Chronic High-Fructose Diet Exposure in Wistar Rats

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology | Vol. 15, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 025–035

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000170

Article Type: Original Research Article

Title: Histomorphometric Evaluation of Renal Cortical Microarchitecture Alterations Following Chronic High-Fructose Diet Exposure in Wistar Rats

Names of Authors: Sithole T. Mamba¹, Nkosana J. Dlamini²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eswatini, Mbabane, Eswatini; ²Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Abstract:
The rising consumption of dietary refined sugars is closely linked to metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease. This study evaluated the specific histomorphometric alterations in the renal cortical microarchitecture induced by chronic high-fructose intake. Twenty-four male Wistar rats (weighing 180 to 210 g) were randomly divided into two equal groups (n = 12): a control group receiving standard rodent chow and water, and a fructose group receiving the same chow alongside a 20% fructose solution ad libitum for 16 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, renal tissue sections were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) for digital histomorphometric analysis. The fructose-fed group displayed a significant reduction in the mean glomerular volume (1.12 x 10^5 μm³ vs 1.45 x 10^5 μm³, p < 0.01) accompanied by an increase in Bowman's space width (4.8 ± 0.6 μm vs 2.3 ± 0.3 μm, p < 0.01) compared to the control group. Tubular epithelial cell heights in the proximal convoluted tubules decreased significantly by 28.5% (p < 0.05), pointing to cellular atrophy. Furthermore, PAS staining revealed marked basement membrane thickening and a 3.4-fold increase in the fractional area of interstitial fibrosis in the fructose group. These findings demonstrate that a chronic 20% fructose diet induces measurable structural degradation within the renal cortex, highlighting the susceptibility of glomerular and tubular microarchitecture to metabolic stressors independent of aging.

Keywords: Histomorphometry, Renal Cortex, Fructose, Glomerulus, Interstitial Fibrosis, Wistar Rats

Manuscript Timeline: Received: May 20, 2026; Revised: July 02, 2026; Accepted: July 24, 2026; Published: August 14, 2026

Citation: Mamba S.T., & Dlamini N.J. (2026). Histomorphometric Evaluation of Renal Cortical Microarchitecture Alterations Following Chronic High-Fructose Diet Exposure in Wistar Rats. International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, 15(8), 025–035. DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000170

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