In vitro regeneration of adenine nucleotide by ischemically injured kidney

Abstract

Degradation of adenine nucleotide is a prominent feature of renal ischemic injury, the significance of which is still uncertain. In the present study, the conditions required for regeneration of adenine nucleotide by ischemically injured rabbit and dog kidneys were investigated using a slice incubation and isolated organ perfusion model. Regeneration in the whole organ was dependent on species, temperature, colloid concentration, and the presence of nucleoside as substrate. Under optimal conditions, slice incubation and perfusion yielded comparable results, and regeneration by ischemic tissue was equivalent to that of fresh tissue. These data suggest that the low adenine nucleotide levels after ischemic injury do not result from metabolic failure so much as from a local unavailability of substrate.