“Topicality of TEM in experimental nephrotoxicity"

For over ten years we have conducted morphological studies on acute and chronic nephrotoxicity by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to detect glomerular and tubular lesions induced by drugs or toxicants and their attenuation by antioxidant agents. We summarize some applications of ultrastructural analysis performed on different in vivo models such as acute mercury-induced nephrotoxicity and chronic puromycin aminonucleoside-nephrosis (PAN), together with more recent in vitro data on cisplatin effects on NRK52E rat proximal tubular cells. Despite the high costs necessary to maintain an electron microscopy facility together with the progressive reduction of scientists and technicians with long experience in the field, we should underline the unique possibilities of this “traditional” morphological approach in renal toxicology. So beginners in electron microscopy must consider that TEM represents the only technique able to address actual questions like “when and why renal cells choose autophagy instead of apoptosis/necrosis?” that hardly other methods can answer so clearly. We strongly suggest to adopt sensitive TEM together with more fashionable approaches to perform a modern multidisciplinary research.