Effects of repeated deprivation of drinking water on the structure of renal medulla of rats.

Rats were exposed to repeated episodes of hydropenia for periods of 5 and 16 weeks, and structural alterations of renal medulla were investigated by light and electron microscopy. The hydropenia induced, within the inner medulla, focally severe structural changes in the tubular and endothelia and loss of interstitial cells. The findings present evidence that repeated episodes of hydropenia are capable of inducing cellular alterations of the renal medulla, particularly in the interstitial cells.