Glomerular endothelial injury related to simple hypothermic storage: an electron microscopic study in the rat.

The present study examined alterations in the glomerular endothelium associated with simple hypothermic storage. Adult rat kidneys were flushed with cold Collins (C2) solution and stored at 8 degrees C for 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after which the kidneys were perfusion-fixed and processed for light and electron (scanning and transmission) microscopy. Glomerular endothelium exhibits a time-related increase in endothelial process swelling and fenestral distortion. From 48 to 96 h of preservation, progressive cellular swelling was accompanied by focal elongation and disruption of the fenestral patterns. These changes contrast the maintenance of a normal glomerular epithelial pattern. All of the tubular elements, however, exhibited progressive changes through this time course including cellular necrosis. The glomerular changes associated with simple hypothermic storage are mild, being limited to the endothelium. These changes are probably of little functional significance when compared to the more marked tubular changes.