ALTERATIONS OF METAL CONTENT IN THE KIDNEYS OF PUROMYCIN AMINONUCLEOSIDE-ADMINISTERED RATS

To explore the mechanism responsible for puromycin aminonucleoside ind uced-nephrotoxicity, metal content was preliminarily investigated in t he kidneys of rats that had received a single subcutaneous injection o f the agent (80 mg/kg body weight). In the group that received this ag ent, the renal content of Fe rose on days 5, 10, and 15; that of Cu fe ll on days 10 and 15; that of Zn rose on day 5; that of Se fell on day 10; there were no changes in Mn throughout the experimental period. P roviding that these findings directly involved the renal activities of superoxide dismutases and glutathione peroxidase, the renal reduction of Cu and Se gave proof counter to previous findings of an enzymatic protective system against possible attacks by the oxygen radicals.