Plasma from uninephrectomized rats increases 32P incorporation into phospholipids of renal cortical slices.

Incorporation of 32P into phospholipids of renal cortical slices was studied in vitro after addition of plasma from uninephrectomized or sham-operated rats. Plasma from uninephrectomized rats increased the labeling of phospholipids when obtained within the first hour after uninephrectomy. With different amounts of added plasma a graded response in labeling of phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol was obtained. Phosphatidylcholine labeling also showed a graded response but only if the incubation was prolonged. The results suggest that an early alteration in phospholipid metabolism, particularly of inositol lipids, may play a role in initiation of compensatory renal growth by humoral factor(s).