[Autoradiographic studies of oxalate distribution in rat kidney].
BACKGROUND: We performed macro and micro-autoradiographic studies using 14C-oxalate in normal and hyperoxaluric rats in order to elucidate intrarenal distribution of oxalate and to determine where calcium oxalate crystal can be adhere in the kidney. METHODS: Macro and micro-autoradiographic studies of the kidney in normal rats were carried out at intervals of 15, 30 and 90 min after intravenous administration of 14C-oxalate (37 MBq/kg BW). Hyperoxaluria was induced by vitamin B6 deficient diet. The procedure of macro and micro autoradiography is the same as that in normal rat. RESULTS: In normal rats, macroautoradiogram showed that the radioactivity of 14C-oxalate exists in the whole kidney, and microautoradiogram identified this radioactivity mainly in the extraluminal space of renal tubules at 15 min. Macro and micro-autoradiograms taken 90 min after the injection showed practically no radioactivity of 14C-oxalate in the cortex or the medulla, but it was located in the extraluminal space of the papilla. In hyperoxaluric rats, macroautoradiogram showed some spotty accumulations of 14C-oxalate in the inner medulla and papilla. Microautoradiogram revealed that these accumulations are mainly seen in the extraluminal space. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that in normal rats the injected 14C-oxalate remains in the renal papilla, especially in the extraluminal space, when nearly all oxalate was excreted by urine, and in hyperoxaluric rats 14C-oxalate exists there as calcium oxalate crystal or microlith.