Biochemical alterations of membrane lipids associated with renal injury.

Ureteral obstruction and partial renal vasoconstriction are associated with increased prostaglandin biosynthesis and arachidonate release from cellular phospholipids. HgCl2-induced renal injury was associated with changes in respiratory control of mitochondria with loss of acceptor control and with marked morphological changes seen ultrastructurally. The mitochondrial lipids showed losses of 29 and 46%, respectively, of phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipin. These biochemical changes may be the markers of the functional and ultrastructural derangements seen in toxic renal injury.