Potentiation of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats by allopurinol

Cisplatin (CDDP) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent used against variou s human malignancies. However, it induces nephrotoxicity, a severe side eff ect in which oxygen free radicals have been implicated to play an important role. The effect of allopurinol (Allp) given in a dose of 50 mg/kg su:,cut aneously (sc) for five days was examined on induced nephrotoxicity by a sin gle dose of 5 mg/kg CDDP intraperitoneally (ip) in male wistar rats. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations were found signific antly higher in the group given both Allp and CDDP than in the group given CDDP alone, p < 0.001, rind histopathological examination showed more exces sive degree of proximal tubular necrosis in the kidneys of animals given CD DP plus Allp than in those treated with CDDP alone. Increased renal lipid p eroxidation, p < 0.001 associated with these pathological alterations sugge sted that oxidative stress may be involved in the potential:ion of CDDP-ind uced nephrotoxicity by Allp.