The immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA) exhibits significant nephro
toxicity. Disturbance of magnesium (Mg) homeostasis may be an important com
ponent of this nephrotoxicity. It has been suggested that transmigration of
Mg from plasma to tissues may be an important component of CsA-induced alt
erations in Mg homeostasis. In this study, CsA nephrotoxicity in male Wista
r rats was investigated and alterations in Mg homeostasis along with other
indices of toxicity were assessed. Animals were dosed daily for 14 days i.p
. with CsA (20 mg/kg body weight). Control animals received vehicle alone,
CsA toxicity was evidenced by i) lower gain in body weight, ii) reduced thy
mus/body weight ratio, iii) increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, i
v) a tendency for reduced plasma magnesium and v) increased urinary Mg excr
etion and greatly increased fractional excretion of Mg. Tissue Mg analysis
did not reveal any changes in thymus or skeletal muscle Mg while Mg in kidn
ey tissue tended to be reduced. Electron microscopy revealed some damage in
renal tubules of rats treated with cyclosporine including translucent cyto
plasm, vacuolization, rounded and swollen mitochondria, damage to brush bor
der and disruption of basal infoldings. These results indicate that direct
renal tubular damage may result from CsA exposure. No evidence was found fo
r CsA-induced movement of Mg from plasma to tissues. CsA-induced altered re
nal handling of Mg and this renal Mg wasting may be an important consequenc
e of the nephrotoxicity.