Model of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and its amelioration by calcium and thyroxine

Effects of hyper- and hypothyroidism on acetylcholinesterase, (Na(+), K (+))- and Mg ( 2+ )-ATPase activities of adult rat hypothalamus and cerebellum

Thyroid hormones (THs) are recognized as key metabolic hormones, and the metabolic rate increases in hyperthyroidism, while it decreases in hypothyroidism. The aim of this work was to investigate how changes in metabolism induced by THs could affect the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), (Na(+), K(+))- and Mg(2+)-ATPase in the hypothalamus and the cerebellum of adult rats. Hyperthyroidism was induced by subcutaneous administration of thyroxine (25 microg/100 g body weight) once daily for 14 days, while hypothyroidism was induced by oral administration of propylthiouracil (0.05%) for 21 days. All enzyme activities were evaluated spectrophotometrically in the homogenated brain regions of 10 three-animal pools. Neither hyper-, nor hypothyroidism had any effect on the examined hypothalamic enzyme activities. In the cerebellum, hyperthyroidism provoked a significant decrease in both the AChE (-23%, p < 0.001) and the Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities (-26%, p < 0.001). Moreover, hypothyroidism had a similar effect on the examined enzyme activities: AChE (-17%, p < 0.001) and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase (-27%, p < 0.001). Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was found unaltered in both the hyper- and the hypothyroid brain regions.

IN CONCLUSION

neither hyper-, nor hypothyroidism had any effect on the examined hypothalamic enzyme activities. In the cerebellum, hyperthyroidism provoked a significant decrease in both the AChE and the Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities. The decreased (by the THs) Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities may increase the synaptic acetylcholine release, and thus, could result in a decrease in the cerebellar AChE activity. Moreover, the above TH-induced changes may affect the monoamine neurotransmitter systems.

Changes in antioxidant status, protein concentration, acetylcholinesterase, (Na+,K+)-, and Mg2+ -ATPase activities in the brain of hyper- and hypothyroid adult rats

It is a common knowledge that metabolic reactions increase in hyperthyroidism and decrease in hypothyroidism. The aim of this work was to investigate how the metabolic reactions could affect the total antioxidant status (TAS), protein concentration (PC) and the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), (Na+,K+)-ATPase and Mg2+ -ATPase in the brain of hyper- and hypothyroid adult male rats. Hyperthyroidism was induced in rats by subcutaneous administration of thyroxine (25 microg/l00 g body weight) once daily for 14 days, while hypothyroidism was induced by oral administration of propylthiouracil (0.05%) for 21 days. TAS, PC, and enzyme activities were evaluated spectrophotometrically in the homogenated brain of each animal. TAS, PC, and Mg2+ -ATPase activity were found unaffected in hyperthyroidism, while AChE and Na+,K+ -ATPase activities were reduced by 25% (p < 0.01). In contrast, TAS, (Na+,K+)-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activities were found to be increased (approx. 23-30%, p < 0.001) in the hypothyroid brain, while AChE activity and PC were shown to be inhibited (approx. 23-30%, p < 0.001). These changes on brain enzyme activities may reflect the different metabolic effects of hyper- and hypothyroidism. Such changes of the enzyme activities may differentially modulate the brain intracellular Mg2+, neural excitability, as well as the uptake and release of biogenic amines.

The effect of calcium load and the calcium channel blocker verapamil on gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats

Gentamicin (GM) is used against serious and life-threatening Gram negative infections. However its use is limited by the occurrence of nephrotoxicity. Reports on the interaction between GM nephrotoxicity and calcium (Ca(2+)) or Ca blockers are conflicting. Therefore, in the present work we assessed the effect of treatment of rats with graded doses of calcium carbonate, CaCO(3) (0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg) orally, or the Ca(2+) channel blocker verapamil (1.75, 3.5 or 7.0 mg/ kg) intramuscularly (i.m.), on the nephrotoxicity induced by concomitant i.m. treatment with GM (80 mg /kg/day for 6 days). Nephrotoxicity was evaluated histopathologically by light microscopy and biochemically by measuring the concentrations of urea and creatinine in plasma, reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in kidney cortex. The results indicated that the administration of CaCO(3) produced a dose-dependent amelioration in the biochemical indices of nephrotoxicity in plasma and renal cortex, which was significant at the two higher doses used. The histological picture of the renal proximal tubules followed a similar pattern. Treatment with verapamil induced a dose-dependent potentiation in the biochemical parameters of nephrotoxicity that was significant only at the highest dose used (7 mg/kg). This dose also exacerbated the GM-induced histological necrosis. The above interactions may be clinically relevant in patients treated concurrently with these agents.

The effect of thyroxine or carbimazole treatment on gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats

1. This study examines the effect of treating rats with gentamicin (80 mg kg-1 day-1 intramuscularly (i.m.), for 6 days) alone or with either L-thyroxine or the anti-thyroid drug carbimazole. 2. Gentamicin produced significant increases in serum creatinine and urea concentrations, and significantly reduced the activity of Na+,K+ATPase in renal cortex. The concentration of serum triiodothyronine (T3) was unaffected by graded doses (20, 40 and 80 mg kg-1) of the antibiotic. Histopathologically, gentamicin produced necrosis of proximal tubules in the renal cortical tissues of treated rats. 3. Treatment of rats with either L-thyroxine or carbimazole alone did not significantly affect any of the biochemical variables investigated. Carbimazole alone produced only mild tubular necrosis. 4. Treatment of rats with either L-thyroxine (100 micrograms kg-1 day-1, subcutaneously) for 10 days, and gentamicin (80 mg kg-1, i.m. daily during the last 6 days of treatment significantly reduced the gentamicin-induced increases in serum creatinine and urea concentrations, and increased the activity of cortical N+,K+ATPase to control levels. Histopathologically, the severity of gentamicin-induced tubular necrosis was reduced by L-thyroxine treatment. 5. Carbimazole (12 mg ml-1 in drinking water for 21 days) and gentamicin (80 mg kg-1 i.m.) daily during the last 6 days of treatment, stimulated the increase in serum urea concentration produced by gentamicin, but did not significantly affect the gentamicin-induced changes in serum creatinine or cortical N+,K+ATPase.

Inhibition of gentamicin uptake into cultured mouse proximal tubule epithelial cells by L-lysine

Gentamicin uptake and toxicity was studied in a nontransformed cell line obtained from the S1 segment of the proximal tubule epithelium of a transgenic mouse. Cytotoxicity was assayed using the dye 3-(4,-5dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Gentamicin uptake was assayed by a fluorescence polarization assay. No differences in toxicity were found among cells incubated for 4 hours in complete culture medium, enriched Kreb's buffer alone, or enriched Krebs' buffer with added 300 micrograms/mL gentamicin, 0.5 mmol/L L-lysine, or gentamicin plus L-lysine. Uptake of 300 micrograms/mL gentamicin was minimal at zero time and increased as a function of time. Uptake of gentamicin at 4 hours was positively correlated with medium gentamicin concentration. Addition of 0.5 mmol/L L-lysine inhibited uptake of 300 micrograms/mL gentamicin 38.9 +/- 10.2%. No other amino acid, including D-lysine or arginine, significantly changed gentamicin uptake. The authors conclude that gentamicin and L-lysine share a specific uptake mechanism located in the apical membrane of renal proximal tubule cells.