PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF CYCLODEXTRIN SULFATES AGAINST GENTAMICIN-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN THE RAT

The effects of cyclodextrin sulphates on the development of rat renal dysfunction induced with gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, wer e studied. Daily subcutaneous injection of gentamicin (100 mg kg-1, 14 days) developed nephrotoxicity in the rat as assessed by an increase in serum urea nitrogen and histopathological changes in the renal cort ex. When cyclodextrin sulphates were given intraperitoneally at 300 mg kg-1 at 6 h intervals after gentamicin administration, they protected the rat against the drug-induced renal impairment, while the parent c yclodextrins were ineffective. Since post-administration of cyclodextr in sulphates did not reduce the total amount of gentamicin accumulated in the kidney, the protection may occur through interference with int racellular events leading from the drug accumulation to nephrotoxicity . These results suggest that cyclodextrin sulphates are particularly e ffective in preventing renal failure associated with aminoglycoside tr eatment.