MORPHOLOGIC CHANGES DURING INCUBATION OF RENAL SLICES

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 36  (5) , 509-518
Abstract
The progression of ultrastructural changes was studied during various conditions of incubation of rat and mice renal cortex slices. The kidneys were sliced with a Stadie-Riggs microtome and incubated in various media (tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (Tris), Tris-proline and Hanks), in different oxygenation conditions (O2-CO2, 6 l/min; N2, 0.5 l/min), at different temperatures (37.degree. C, 23.degree. C) and different time intervals (0-120 min). The most conspicuous changes appeared to involve plasma membranes and mitochondria. Early changes (0-30 min) were mainly confined to mitochondria cristae and matrix; there was also light swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum. After 30 min of incubation, the majority of mitochondria had a condensed form: dense matrix and slight dilation of the cristae. These modifications were more accentuated at 75 min and many mitochondria were swollen and contained dense material. The modification of the membrane took place at 30 min by vesiculation and/or a diffuse dilation of brush border and is followed by myelinization. The antiluminal membrane appeared less sensitive but the same modification pattern appeared after 75 min. These changes appeared more slowly at 23.degree. C than at 37.degree. C. Kinetic studies were also carried out confirming previous findings; cellular uptake and accumulation of 14C-glycine still took place after 2 h of incubation. The kidney cortex slicing technique did not seem suitable for the study of absorption at the luminal membrane. The generally accepted ultrastructure of some organelles did not correspond to their appearance in the normally functioning state in vivo.