Ochratoxin A and citrinin are nephrotoxic mycotoxins found in a variety of foods and feeds. Before studying possible interactions between these two toxins, their individual biochemical effects were examined in vitro by using renal cortical explants derived from male swine of the Hormel-Hanford strain. The following measurements were performed: macromolecule biosynthesis (protein, RNA, and DNA), respiration (14CO2 from [14C]glucose), organic ion (tetraethyl ammonium acetate, i.e., TEA) transport, and membrane perturbation (protein leakage into medium). Levels of the toxins ranged from 0.001 to 1 mM. Ochratoxin A inhibited macromolecule biosynthesis at a lower concentration (0.001 mM) than did citrinin. Protein and DNA synthesis were particularly sensitive to ochratoxin A. Syntheses of protein and DNA were inhibited at ochratoxin A concentrations of 0.01 and 0.001 mM, respectively. RNA synthesis was less sensitive to the mycotoxin; it was inhibited only 60% at 1 mM, the highest concentration of ochratoxin A tested. Citrinin levels of 0.01 mM were required for inhibition of RNA, DNA, and protein synthesis. Inhibition by citrinin was approximately equal for all three classes of macromolecules. Citrinin was more effective than ochratoxin A in the inhibition of respiration and TEA transport; the minimum effective levels of citrinin were 1 and 0.01 mM, respectively. Serious membrane damage as evidenced by increased protein leakage was not caused by either toxin. Stimulation of respiration, perhaps reflective of uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, was produced by an ochratoxin A concentration of 1 mM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)