EFFECTS OF A PROSTAGLANDIN E-1 ANALOG, MISOPROSTOL, ON RENAL-FUNCTIONIN DOGS RECEIVING NEPHROTOXIC DOSES OF GENTAMICIN

Objective-To determine whether the prostaglandin E-1 analogue, misopro stol, could preserve renal function in dogs receiving nephrotoxic dose s of gentamicin.Animals-12 (6/group) healthy sexually intact male dogs . Procedure-All dogs were given high doses of gentamicin (10 mg/kg of body weight, IV, q 8 h, for 8 consecutive days). Six dogs (treatment g roup) received misoprostol (3 mu g/kg, PO, q 8 h for the duration of t he study) and 6 dogs (control group) received vehicle (1 capsule, PO, q 8 h). Renal function was assessed before treatment (day 0) and on da ys 3, 6, 9, and 11 after initiation of treatment by measurement of ser um biochemical variables, urine specific gravity, and exogenous creati nine clearance. Serum electrolyte and protein concentrations and prese nce of proteinuria, glycosuria, and cylindruria were also determined. At the end of the study, renal histopathologic changes were evaluated. Results-Dogs receiving misoprostol had significant reduction in exoge nous creatinine clearance with time, compared with dogs receiving vehi cle (P = 0.0264). Dogs receiving misoprostol tended to develop more se vere azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, and renal histopathologic changes; h owever, results were not significantly different between groups. Concl usion-Misoprostol (3 mu g/kg, PO, q 8 h) did not preserve renal functi on and may have exacerbated gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicosis in this group of dogs. Clinical Relevance-Supplementation of vasodilatory pro stanoids may exacerbate renal dysfunction in dogs receiving high doses of gentamicin.