Studies on adriamycin side effects on the renal function and morphology in rats

ABSTRACT

Adriamycin [ADR] is an antitumor antibiotic, which is widly used in cancer chemotherapy Previous studies revealed cases of heavy proteinuria following single injection of 5 mg/kg ADR. Marked alteration in sodium and potassium contents were seen in cases of cardiomyopathy induced by chronic intoxication with ADR. We are interested to study the relationship between renal sodium and potassium content and proteinuria, in adriamycin treated rats [1mg/kg b.w. twice a week for 4 and 8 weeks], and the renal function and morphology The results showed impaired renal function as revealed by the significant increase in plasma creatinine and decreased urinary creatinine and creatinie clearance in ADR treated rats. ADR treatment also produced significant decrease in plasma proteins and proteinuria. Sodium content of the kidney was not significantly changed while potassium content was significantly decreased in ADR treated rats. These finding are consistant with the pathological examination which show glomerular sclerosis, cloudy swelling of the proximal convoluted tubules, dilated collecting tubules with protein casts and inflammation of the interstitial tissue. These changes are more marked in 8 weeks ADR treated rats. The study advise interrupted courses of ADR in the long treatment periods, with investigation for the kidney function