ROLE OF VASCULAR CONGESTION IN CISPLATIN-INDUCED ACUTE-RENAL-FAILURE IN THE RAT

The significance of vascular congestion in the pathogenesis of cisplat in acute renal failure (ARF) was studied in rats given pentoxifylline. Rats were administered single intraperitoneal doses of 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg of cisplatin with 45 mg/kg of pentoxifylline or saline every 12 h for 3 days. Cisplatin caused dose-dependent declines in th e mean inulin clearance values in the rat that were not attenuated wit h pharmacological doses of pentoxyfylline. There were no differences i n histology, urinary electrolyte excretion rates, and serum creatinine values between cisplatin toxicity groups treated with saline or pento xifylline. Erthrocyte congestion was studied with Cr-51-labelled eryth rocytes in rats given single doses of 5 mg/kg of cisplatin with and wi thout pentoxifylline in an attempt to define the role of capillary slu dging. The papilla, medulla, and cortex of kidneys of cisplatin-treate d rats were markedly congested with Cr-51-erythrocytes; however, pento xifylline treatment did not significantly reduce the congestion. These data suggest that although erythrocyte trapping is involved in cispla tin ARF, treatment with pharmacological doses of vascular decongestant s does not fully attenuate the functional defect.