Protective effective of vitamin E in kidney storage solution on renal tissue metabolism in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether inclusion of vitamin E into kidney storage solutions protects metabolism and tubular ultrastructure of stored rat kidney. METHODS: Rat kidneys were flush stored in Marshall's Citrate (MC) and MC + vitamin E (25% of LD 50 and 50% of LD 50) for 24 hours at 0 degrees C. After storage kidney slices were tested for gluconeogenesis and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and examined for cellular ultrastructure. RESULTS: Kidneys stored in MC + vitamin E gave higher gluconeogenesis than those stored in MC alone (p < 0.001). Tubular ultrastructure was better preserved in the presence of Vitamin E. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin E appears to protect the metabolism and ultrastructure of stored rat kidneys.