URINARY ENZYME EXCRETION AS A PARAMETER FOR DETECTION OF ACUTE RENAL DAMAGE MEDIATED BY N-(3,5-DICHLOROPHENYL)SUCCINIMIDE (NDPS) IN FISCHER-344 RATS

The kidney has been identified as the specific target organ for in viv o exposure to an agricultural fungicide, N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)succini mide (NDPS). The goal of this study was to determine if urinary protei n and enzyme excretion were sensitive, non-invasive markers for NDPS-i nduced renal damage. The proximal tubular enzymes that were monitored were the brush-border enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the lysoso mal enzyme N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG). Male Fischer 344 (F3 44) rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 0.2 or 1.0 mmol k g(1) NDPS. Control animals were injected i.p. with sesame oil (2.5 mi kg(-1)). Urine was collected on ice 0-3, 3-6 and 6-24 h after NDPS or vehicle injection. Urinary protein and urinary NAG excretion levels we re elevated (P < 0.05) above the control levels 0-3 h after treatment with 0.2 mmol kg(-1) NDPS. Urinary protein and enzyme excretion was co mparable between 0.2 mmol kg(-1) NDPS-treated and control groups for a ll other time periods. Administration of a marked nephrotoxicant dose (1.0 mmol kg(-1)) was associated with elevated levels of urinary prote in, NAG and ALP beginning 0-3 h after treatment when compared to the c ontrol group or to respective baseline values. It was concluded from t hese studies that measurement of urinary protein as well as the releas e of ALP and NAG were sensitive markers of renal damage produced by ND PS.