POSSIBLE USE OF EXCRETION OF TUBULAR EPITHELIAL-CELLS FOR THE STUDY OF THE NEPHROTOXIC EFFECT OF XENOBIOTICS

The method of determination of the minute excretion of tubular epithel ial cells renders it possible to investigate the course of the nephrot oxic effect of the toxin by the influence of which excretion of tubula r round epithelial cells is increased. The nephrotoxic effect of repea ted administration of amphotericin B (1 mg/kg, i.v.), which produced u p to 12-fold increases in the number of excreted epithelial cells, was examined. Repeated administration of cyclosporin A (45 and 56 mg/kg, p.o.) produced up to 23-fold increases in the number of excreted epith elial cells. The degree of excretion of epithelial cells after adminis tration of both drugs was compared with the urinary excretion of alani ne aminopeptidase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, which indicated nephrotoxicity in amphotericin B and cyclosporin A with a lower sensi tivity than the increase in the excretion of epithelial cells. In the experiment with cyclosporin A, urinary excretion of epithelial cells w as further correlated with renal functional tests (clearance of polyfr uctosan and hippurate). (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Inc.