Histochemical and biochemical studies of chemically induced acute kidney damage in the rat

Studies on the effects of L(alpha S,5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid (AT-125) on 4-aminophenol-induced nephrotoxicity in the Fischer 344 rat

4-Aminophenol (para-aminophenol; PAP) causes selective necrosis to the S3 segment of the proximal tubule in experimental animals. The mechanism of PAP nephrotoxicity has not been fully elucidated, although it has been suggested to involve glutathione (GSH)-dependent S-conjugation followed by processing by the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma GT) to the corresponding cysteine S-conjugate. This proposed toxicity mechanism was probed further by administering L-(alpha S,5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid (AT-125), a potent gamma GT inhibitor, to Fischer 344 (F344) rats before treatment with PAP (100 mg/kg). AT-125 pretreatment did not appear to protect against PAP-induced nephrotoxicity as assessed by renal histopathology, clinical chemistry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy of urine. These data suggest that renal gamma GT activity is not a prerequisite for PAP nephrotoxicity and that the generation of a cysteine S-conjugate is not a unique requirement for the induction of PAP nephrotoxicity.

Nephrotoxicity of 4-aminophenol glutathione conjugate

4-Aminophenol (p-aminophenol, PAP) causes selective necrosis to the pars recta of the proximal tubule in Fischer 344 rats. The basis for this selective toxicity is not known, but PAP can undergo oxidation in a variety of systems to form the 4-aminophenoxy free radical. Oxidation or disproportionation of this radical will form 1,4-benzoquinoneimine which can covalently bind to tissue macromolecules. Recent studies have shown that certain benzoquinol-glutathione conjugates can cause renal necrosis in rats. We have synthesized a putative glutathione conjugate of PAP. The effect on the kidney of this conjugate and the sulphate and N-acetyl conjugates, known metabolites of PAP, have been examined in Fischer 344 rats. 4-Amino-3-S-glutathionylphenol produced a dose-dependent (92-920 mumol kg-1) necrosis of the proximal tubular epithelium and altered renal excretory function. The lesion at the low dose was restricted to the pars recta of the proximal tubule in the medullary rays, while at the higher doses it affected the pars recta region of all nephrons. In contrast, PAP-O-sulphate and N-acetyl-4-aminophenol (paracetamol) caused no histological or functional alteration to the kidney at 920 mumol kg-1. The renal necrosis produced by 4-amino-3-S-glutathionylphenol was very similar to that produced by PAP (367-920 mumol kg-1), both functionally and histologically, except that smaller doses of the glutathione conjugate were required. These studies indicate that glutathione conjugation of PAP generates a metabolite that is more toxic to the kidney than the parent compound. A possible mechanism of toxicity (analogous to that reported for glutathione conjugates of certain quinones) involving oxidation to form a 1,4-benzoquinoneimine thioether that could redox cycle is discussed.

Assessment of renal function and damage in animal species. A review of the current approach of the academic, governmental and industrial institutions represented by the Animal Clinical Chemistry Association

There are a wide variety of laboratory tests available to assess damage to and functional impairment of the kidneys, although the effectiveness of these tests varies greatly depending upon the site specificity of the damage and to a lesser extent upon the animal species involved. Several traditional tests of renal dysfunction and damage, including plasma creatinine and urea, and urinalysis (dipstick and/or quantitative protein), can be used in the first instance to detect nephrotoxicity. A second tier of specific, targetted indicators (concentration test, urinary enzymes, clearance of analytes, specific proteins, etc.) may then be applied to identify further the site of the lesion and the functional status of the kidneys. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) may be estimated from the clearance of exogenous and endogenous substances. The difficulty in obtaining accurately timed urine samples limits the value of these tests in small animals, although methods that do not involve urine collection are available. The kidney is the origin of several enzymes found in urine that can be used to monitor the toxic effects of chemicals and therapeutic substances. Selective measurement of enzyme activities in urine can be used to detect the site of the renal lesion after traditional tests have established the presence of renal injury. Separation of proteins in urine by electrophoretic techniques may also be used to discriminate damage to different parts of the nephron. Renal cell excretion in urine is a sensitive but unreliable indicator of acute damage to the proximal tubule. The rate of cell excretion is not a good predictor of the severity of tubular injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and beta-lyase in the nephrotoxicity of hexachloro-1,3-butadiene and methyl mercury in mice

Male Swiss OF1 mice received a single oral dose of either 80 mg/kg hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (HCBD) or 80 mg/kg methyl mercury (MeHg). Examination of cryostat kidney sections stained for alkaline phosphatase (APP) revealed damage to about 50% of the proximal tubules after 8 h. Pretreatment with the gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) inactivator AT-125 (Acivin, 50 mg/kg i.p., plus 50 mg/kg p.o., reduced the number of damaged tubules by 59 and 58% in mice treated with HCBD and MeHg, respectively. Pretreatment with the two beta-lyase inhibitors, amino-oxyacetic acid (AOAA, 3 x 100 mg/kg p.o.) and DL-propargylglycine (PPG, 300 mg/kg i.p. plus 300 mg/kg p.o.), reduced HCBD nephrotoxicity by 46 and 59%, respectively, but did not protect against MeHg nephrotoxicity. The results support a role for gamma-GT and beta-lyase in the mouse renal toxicity of HCBD and implicate gamma-GT but not beta-lyase in MeHg-induced nephrotoxicity in mice.

Urinary enzymes and calcium oxalate urolithiasis

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were challenged with various hyperoxaluric agents including ammonium oxalate, hydroxy-L-proline, and ethylene glycol. All treatments resulted in increased urinary oxalate. Associated with hyperoxaluria was an increase in urinary levels of renal enzymes, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, and alkaline phosphatase. Most of the rats did not demonstrate any significant change in urinary levels of beta-galactosidase. There was a highly significant positive correlation between urinary oxalate and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase.

Biochemical characterisation of para-aminophenol-induced nephrotoxic lesions in the F344 rat

The acute biochemical effects of the nephrotoxin p-aminophenol (PAP) were studied in detail using a combination of conventional bioanalytical and 1H-NMR spectroscopic methods. Dosing PAP (25-100 mg/kg) to male F344 rats resulted in a dose-related proximal nephropathy with consequent elevations in urinary enzymes, glucose, and urine total protein as shown by conventional methodology. 1H-NMR spectroscopy at 400 MHz of urine from PAP-treated rats also revealed a characteristic glycosuria, with concomitant amino aciduria. The increased excretion of these compounds indicates functional defects in the proximal tubule and reduced solute reabsorption efficiency. In addition, 1H-NMR urinalysis and conventional enzymatic analysis showed a dose-related lactic aciduria. Other changes detected by 1H-NMR included a dose-related reduction in the excretion of citrate (confirmed by a conventional biochemical method) and an increase in the excretion of acetate. The degree of abnormalities shown by 1H-NMR urinalysis agreed well with histopathological observations and conventional biochemical indices of nephrotoxicity. 1H-NMR urinalysis therefore serves to highlight changes in the excretion of low MW urine components not routinely studied by conventional biochemical analysis.

Assessment of the relative hazard involved with airborne irritants with additional hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic properties in mice

This paper deals with the conversion of the hepatotoxicity of 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB), the nephrotoxicity of hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (HCBD) and the respiratory effects of these two toxicants into quantal data. It aims to provide some useful information on the best strategy used for safety evaluation. A reflex bradypnea indicative of irritation of the nasal cavities of mice occurred during a 15-min oronasal exposure to each chemical. A reduction in the development of staining for liver glucose-6-phosphatase (G6-phosphatase) and an increase in the number of damaged tubules in cryostat kidney sections stained for alkaline phosphatase were the measure of toxicity in mice subjected to a whole-body 4-h exposure to DCB and HCBD vapours, respectively. The immediate irritant responses, as well as the delayed liver and kidney responses, were measured at the peak of the chemical's action. These maximum responses were then used to establish the relationships of exposure level effects and also the median active levels of exposure (MALs). The DCB and HCBD MALs responsible for a 50% decrease in the respiratory rate of mice (RD50) were 181 and 211 ppm, respectively. The MAL required for eliciting a 50% decrease in G6-phosphatase staining intensity in DCB-exposed mice was 598 ppm and that associated with 50% of damaged tubules in HCBD-exposed mice was 7.2 ppm. On the basis of these quantitative data, potency ratios indicated that irritation and kidney injury are the primary manifestations of toxicity associated with short-term exposure to DCB and HCBD, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dose-response and time-response biochemical and histological study of potassium dichromate-induced nephrotoxicity in the rat

This study provides quantitative toxicological data on potassium dichromate-induced renal damage and considers the possible difficulties arising from the non-invasive in vivo assessment of renal damage, with particular attention to enzymuria. Renal damage induced in male Wistar rats by single sc injections of potassium dichromate was assessed 52 to 72 hr after doses ranging from 3 to 20 mg potassium dichromate/kg body weight and throughout a 9-day period following a dose of 20 mg potassium dichromate/kg. The earliest and most sensitive non-invasive functional change in the dose-response and time-response studies was an elevation in the rate of urinary excretion of protein. Evidence of tissue damage was observed with elevations in the urinary excretion rates of the brush border enzymes, gamma-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase, the cytosolic enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase and the lysosomal enzyme, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase. Such changes occurred as early as the abnormal urinary protein excretion, but returned to control or sub-control values sooner. Urinary brush border enzyme excretion returned to control values within 48 hr following potassium dichromate injection, despite histological and histochemical evidence of extensive renal damage and renal dysfunction. Elevations in plasma aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were observed, but histochemical and isoenzyme studies would be needed to determine the source of these increases. The simplest and most persistent indicators of renal damage were the urinary excretion of protein and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase.

Nephrotoxic effect of tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate on rat urinary metabolites: assessment from 13C-NMR spectra of urines and biochemical and histopathological examinations

Rats received either single oral doses of 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate (Tris-BP) or repeated doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day Tris-BP for 7 days. Urine was collected over a 24-hr period and subjected to 13C-NMR and biochemical examinations. Tris-BP produced significant increases of urinary glucose and lactate. Urinary gamma-glutamyltransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly elevated on the first 2 days of post-treatment. Histopathologically, the kidney exhibited proximal tubular damage at a dose of 200 mg/kg. There was a good correlation among the histopathological, biochemical results, and the 13C-NMR urinary metabolite fingerprints in the assessment of Tris-BP-induced renal damage. The abnormal patterns of metabolite excretion suggested that the lesions produced by Tris-BP were caused by changes in the metabolic function of tubular epithelial cells. The urinary excretion of lactate, enzymes and inhibition of glucose reabsorption from the tubular lumina may be attributed to necrosis and desquamation of the tubular cell.

Assessment of functional, morphological, and enzymatic tests for acute nephrotoxicity induced by mercuric chloride

The relative merits of a comprehensive series of contemporary methods for detection of acute nephrotoxicity were evaluated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 3.0 mg mercuric chloride (HgCl2)/kg body weight by ip injection. Indices of nephrotoxicity were examined 8, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h later. Alterations in urine osmolality, volume, and protein levels were seen within 24 h in response to 1 mg/kg or more of HgCl2. Administration of 0.5-3.0 mg/kg produced dose-dependent increases in urinary excretion of maltase activity and glucose by 24 h, the period of peak effect. There was no increase in maltase or alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in the serum of these animals. Enzymuria was not apparent in rats that had marked elevations in serum AP, argininosuccinate lyase, and ornithine carbamyl transferase activities as a result of physical (i.e., dichlorodifluoromethane-frozen) or chemical (carbon tetrachloride-induced) damage of the liver. Morphological alterations, in the proximal tubular epithelium of perfusion-fixed kidneys from HgCl2-dosed rats, paralleled the changes in enzyme excretion with respect to time of onset and dose-effect. There was a dose-dependent inhibition of tetraethylammonium (TEA) and p-aminohippurate (PAH) uptake by renal cortical slices at 24 h. Interestingly, increases in uptake of TEA and PAH were seen 8 h after a 1-mg/kg dose. Clearance of inulin and PAH in vivo were altered at 8 h by 0.5 and 1 mg/kg. Marked depression of these functional indices was seen at 24 h, by which time blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were increased. The 0.5- and 1.0-mg/kg doses also produced time- and dose-dependent increases in intracellular Na+ content which were maximal at 24 h. These results illustrate the importance of using a combination of biochemical and functional tests to elucidate the sequence of events in the kidney following toxic insult. Nevertheless, some of the simpler, traditional techniques (e.g., histopathology, urinalyses, BUN) were sensitive and organ-specific, and should continue to be very useful in nephrotoxicity testing/screening.

Nephrotoxicity of cefotiam (CGP 14221/E) in rats and rabbits

Cefotiam (CGP 14221/E; SCE 963), a semisynthetic cephalosporin, was administered as a single dose by i.v. injection to rats l(up to 1.8 g/kg body-weight) and rabbits (up to 1.7 g/kg body-weight). Cephaloridine served as positive control (1.0 and 0.75 g/kg in rats; 0.3 and 0.28 g/kg in rabbits). The animals were sacrificed 24 h after injection and the kidneys preserved for routine histology and enzyme histochemistry (alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidase, succinate dehydrogenase, esterase). Serum samples (Na+, K+, Cl-, urea, creatinine, LDH, alkaline phosphatase) and 24-h urine (Na+, K+, Cl-, urea, creatinine, protein, LDH, aminopeptidase) were analysed before and 24 h after injection. Minimal, irregularly scattered, degenerative changes in the proximal tubules which were not dose-dependent in degree were observed in rat kidneys following cefotiam injection. A slight dose-dependent degeneration in up to 50% of proximal tubular cells with loss of brush-border membrane enzyme activity was observed in rabbit kidneys. In both animal species the ability to concentrate urine was retained and urea and creatinine serum levels hardly affected. Following cefotiam injection a dose-dependent 4-fold excretion of urinary protein but not of LDH was observed in rabbits only. By contrast, cephaloridine caused extensive degeneration and necrosis in up to 90% of proximal tubular cells in both rats and rabbits, which was accompanied with formation of enzymically active hyaline casts, loss of urine-concentrating capacity of the kidney, elevated serum levels of urea and creatinine and an increased urinary excretion of LDH (60-fold in rats, 20-fold in rabbits) and protein (3-fold in rats, 10-fold in rabbits). Histochemistry and electron microscopy of rabbit kidneys suggested a loss of microvilli from proximal tubule cells by endocytosis and thus degeneration following injection of large doses of cefotiam, whereas cell disruption and necrosis prevailed after cephaloridine. The action of cefotiam on the proximal tubule cells is, therefore, not only quantitatively but possibly also qualitatively different from that of cephaloridine. Semiquantitative evaluation of tubular injuries in alkaline phosphatase-stained kidney sections and measurements of LDH and protein content in 24-h urine samples were advantageous in determining the quantity and the quality of nephrotoxic effects.