Metabolism in the hypothermically perfused kidney: utilization of mevalonate in the human and in the dog kidney.

The metabolism of mevalonate was studied in 6 dog kidneys and in 5 human tumour-involved kidneys during 6 days of hypothermic perfusion. 14C-mevalonate in the perfusate decreased and was incorporated into the total lipid fraction of the cortex in both human and dog kidneys. 80% of the incorporated radioactivity was found in the non-saponifiable lipids and after separation of that lipid fraction the radioactivity was recovered in cholesterol as well as in the cholesterol precursors lanosterol and squalene. Only very low levels of radioactivity were recovered in the tumour lipids. It is concluded that the kidney utilizes mevalonate for cholesterol synthesis during hypothermic perfusion and that addition of mevalonate may be of importance for preserving the membrane stability. Furthermore, it is suggested that hypothermic perfusion has a more deteriorating effect on the viability of the tumour tissue when compared to normal renal parenchyma.