INCREASED URINARY TRYPSIN-INHIBITORY ACTIVITY IN MERCURIC-CHLORIDE INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

The relationship between trypsin-inhibitory activity (TIA) and the nep hrotoxic effects of mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-as illustrated by protei nuria and by a drop in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measured b y creatinine clearance test (CCT)-was investigated in Wistar rats. HgC l2, 150 or 250 mu g/100 g BW per day was injected intraperitoneally th ree times a week for 2 weeks. Both groups showed a significant degree of proteinuria and urinary TIA. Group B (250 mu g HgCl2/100 g BW) disp layed a greater drop in GFR than group A (150 mu g HgCl2/100 g BW). Th e urinary TIA was significantly correlated with proteinuria (group A: r = 0.87, group B: r = 0.84), bur it was also significantly inversely correlated with the CCT(A: r = -0.90; B: r = -0.88). In conclusion: th ese results suggest that increased urinary TIA may be involved in and indicative of the pathogenesis of mercuric chloride induced nephrotoxi city.