Precision-cut kidney slices refer to thin sections of the kidney tissue that are prepared with high precision to study kidney functions, drug metabolism or disease processes. Researchers use these slices to study the impact of substances on renal function.[1]
Creating Precision-cut Kidney Slices (PCKS) is a meticulous process that involves several essential steps. The use of vibratomes is crucial in ensuring the production of precise and high-quality kidney slices for research purposes.[2]
The basic steps involved in preparing PCKS using vibratomes include:[3]
Precision cut kidney slices offer several benefits. Kidney tissue slices can be produced easily in quick time. Researchers can control the tissue thickness. These slices maintain the organ's structural integrity, providing more accurate insights into physiological and pathological processes. Additionally these slices provide researchers a standardised testing so the variability in test results get reduced.[4]
Producing slices is time-consuming and the process is technically challenging. Tissue can get damaged while slicing. Test results will not be accurate with damaged tissue. Maintaining good health of the sliced tissue is also challenging. The slices may not fully capture the complex three-dimensional interactions within the intact organ, limiting the scope of certain studies.[5]
Precision cut kidney slices are used to study kidney functions, drug metabolism, kidney diseases and toxicology testing.
PCKS are used to analyse normal kidney functions and kidney's interaction with other organs. Researchers can also investigate how different substances are filtered, reabsorbed, or excreted in the kidney.[6]
With PCKS, how drugs are metabolised in the kidney can be investigated. Researchers can investigate the effects of drugs on various metabolic pathways and understand side effects.[7][8]
PCKS allow researchers to understand the toxicity of substances on the kidney. This is important for detecting potential side effects of drugs or environmental exposures.[9]