Ultrastructural changes of the luminal plasma membrane of the transitional epithelium of the rat urinary tract in essential fatty acid deficiency.

Rats fed an essential fatty acid deficient diet (EFAD) showed a statistically significant decrease in the thickness and ultrastructural asymmetry of the luminal membrane and cytoplasmic vesicles of transitional epithelium of the urinary tract, due to a marked thinning of the peculiar thick luminal leaflet. These changes were reversed by adding EFA to the diet. This indicates that the unusual EM appearance of urothelial membrane depends on its content in EFA.