The 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study of the preserved kidneys, 2

Studies of 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) on rat preserved kidneys were carried out. A method to measure intracellular pH from the inorganic phosphate (Pi) resonance position is reported for the first time in this paper. Preserved kidneys showed rapid energy metabolism and intracellular acidosis in simple storage at high temperature. However, the intracellular pH dropped to the minimum value in 90 min at 370C. The intracellular acidosis developed very slowly in simple storage at 40C. The isolated perfused kidney (220C) showed a stable energy metabolism and intracellular pH by a 90 min perfusion. Thereafter, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level in renal tissue decreases as the renal intracellular pH dropped slowly. This lowering of intracellular pH was considered to be due to the damage of the renal cell. Intracellular pH was found to be a usefull parameter of the renal tissue viability. (author)