ABSTRACT
Imipenem [Tienam] a recently introduced carbapenem beta lactam antibiotic was administered to albino rats for different periods at doses relevant to those used in human to study its effect on the ultras tructure of kidney and liver as well as the serum levels of creatinine, urea, SGOT. SGPT and alkaline phosphatase. The observed renal ultrastructural changes were dependent on the duration of drug administration and confined primarily to the proximal convoluted tubule cells Specific lysosomal alterations were detected in the form of myelin like figures [myeloid bodies] within their cavities. The most stricking hepatic changes were swelling of mitochondriae with distortion of their cristae. disruption of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and accumulation of large lipid droplets. The above mentioned changes were more prominent when the drug was administered for 15 days. Serum creatinine increased after 5 days, while SGOT increased after 10 days. After 15 days of the the drug administration, serum levels of creatinine, urea, SGOT, SGPT and alkaline phosphatase become elevated significantly These ultrastructural and biochemical changes indicated that imipenem may induce renal or hepatic dysfunction in human so it should be given with caution in patients with renal or hepatic impairment