Possible mechanisms of hydrocarbon-associated glomerulonephritis.

Many hydrocarbons have properties which make them candidates for causing glomerulonephritis. They alter most immune functions and create a state of immunity deficiency; they damage the tubules which may lead to interstitial fibrosis and increased postglomerular capillary resistance furthering the trapping of macromolecules in the glomeruli; and they probably increase tissue permeability to macromolecules. The idea that hydrocarbons cause glomerulonephritis is supported by findings of an association between glomerulonephritis and hydrocarbon exposure, by findings of a relationship between tubulointerstitial damage and glomerular filtration rate in glomerulonephritis, and by findings of immunity deficiency in most subgroups of glomerulonephritis.