PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF METHIMAZOLE AGAINST CISPLATIN-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN RATS

In adult rats 6 mg kg(-1) body wt. cisplatin given i.p. was nephrotoxi c. Four days of i.p. treatment with 40 mg kg(-1) body wt. methimazole, which started 1 day before CP, prevented increases in blood urea nitr ogen and in the renal excretion of proteins. Furthermore, methimazole treatment reduced the oliguric effect of cisplatin and the depression of renal sodium excretion. However, it had no effect on the increased formation of lipid peroxides in cisplatin-damaged kidneys, although re peated treatment with methimazole enhanced the renal glutathione conte nt. Methimazole acts as a radical scavenger, maintaining the glutathio ne pool in the kidney. (C) 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.