Energy reserves (TAN) and anaerobic substrates (glucose, glycogen) are lower in renal than in myocardial tissue. Euro-Collins-solution contains nearly 200 mmol/l glucose, while the HTK-solution of Bretschneider contains none. Therefore the influence of glucose on kidney lactate production, on energy reserves (TAN), intrarenal pH and on morphology during the protection of ischemic kidneys was analysed using either Euro-Collins-solution, or modified "Euro-Collins-solution", containing mannitol instead of glucose, or HTK-solution with and without the addition of 5, 10 and 20 mmol/l glucose. Glucose content changed during kidney perfusion with Euro-Collins-solution from about 60 to 800 mumol/gdw. While intrarenal pH decreased from 7.1 to 5.1 in Euro-Collins-kidneys during 420 min of ischemia at 25 degrees C, pH decreased to 6.7 with the modified, mannitol containing "Euro-Collins-solution". In HTK-protected kidneys intrarenal pH decreased with increasing glucose addition to the solution. Although Total Adenine Nucleotides are highest at the end of ischemia with Euro-Collins-solution, structural protection after the same ischemic stress was best in HTK-protected kidneys without glucose addition. We conclude that glucose stimulated lactate production, reduced interstitial pH in the kidney even in combination with a highly buffered solution and that it might cause greater membrane permeability leading to a structural deterioration. Mannitol seemed more appropriate than glucose in this respect, although other substances, which provide energy substrate and prevent structural damage, may exist.