Renomedullary interstitial cells (RIC) are known to synthesize and release prostaglandins which may play a significant role in the development or severity of hypertension. The medulla of the spontaneously hypertensive rat contains RIC which are morphologically very similar to those previously described in the normotensive rat. The granularity of the RIC, however, was increased in the spontaneously hypertensive rat compared to normotensive Wistars (9.6 +/- 2.34 versus 5.3 +/- 2.05 granules per cell, respectively, p less than 0.001) or treated spontaneously hypertensive rats (7.2 +/- 1.65 granules per cell, p less than 0.001). Granule counts also increased in the presence of mild and moderate degrees of renal arteriolar sclerosis, but decreased in long standing hypertension with more severe and extensive lesions involving both arteries and arterioles. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the RIC respond to an elevation of blood pressure in the spontaneously hypertensive rats by increased release of antihypertensive substances. In addition, the decrease in granularity of the RIC in the presence of extensive renal arteriolar and arterial damage suggests reduced ability to compensate for the elevated blood pressure and thus may contribute to the acceleration of hypertension.