Functional morphology of interstitial cells of the renal medulla
Sokolova, R.I.; Vikhert, A.M.
Arkhiv Patologii 46(11): 22-28
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-1955 PMID: 6525060 Document Number: 229446
Literature and the authors' data are presented on the structure and function of renal medulla interstitial cells (IC). It is shown that alterations of the IC ultrastructure and their lipid granules take place after stimulation or inhibition of prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis. Administration of indomethacin (PG biosynthesis inhibitor) is followed by, on the one hand, a decrease of PG content in the kidneys, and, on the other hand, by an increase of IC lipid granules. Bradykinin (PG biosynthesis stimulator) results in the increased PG production with a simultaneous decrease of the lipid granules number. The inverse correlation between the number of IC lipid granules and the lipid content in the medulla as well as biochemical data on the high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids in the granules allows one to consider IC lipid granules as a depot of PG precursors. Thus, IC are closely connected with PG biosynthesis in the kidney and their principal function is in a formation of the PG precursors lipid depots.