Mitochondrial alterations of the renal proximal tubule epithelium in rats exposed to smoke

Abstract

The ultrastructural changes in the mitochondria of renal proximal tubule (RPT) epithelium produced by smoke were investigated in this study. Modified Walton Smoking Machine was used to generate smoke and the tissues taken from the control and smoke exposured rats were prepared for examining by transmission electron microscope. Most of the smoke exposured rats exhibited fine structural changes in mitochondria of renal proximal tubul (RPT) cells such as variations in size, form and disposition of internal membranes. Mitochondrial changes were thought to be a part of a pathological process, the presence of these changes might be interpreted as a sign of mitochondrial malfunction and degeneration.