Description and interpretation of morphological changes in canine kidneys after preservation with hypothermic solutions and subsequent reperfusion.

The morphological appearance of canine kidneys preserved with hypothermic solutions of three different types (Rheomacrodex, Collins 3 and Sacks-II) was studied in acute autologous reperfusion models. While at the end of preservation the renal structure still seemed intact (with the exception of the Rheomacrodex model), reperfusion was associated with the manifestation of hitherto latent structural lesions. This is confirmed by light-microscopic features (hydropic swelling and destruction of the tubular epithelium), enzyme histochemical studies (positive alkaline phosphatase reaction of the Bowman space) and topo-optical reactions (loss of anisotropy of the cytomembranes in the presence of fairly well preserved birefringence of the basement membranes).