Effects of cephacetrile on reproduction cycle.

The research of possible effects of cephacetrile (Celospor) on the reproductive function was carried out on two animal species, rats and rabbits. The animals were divided into experimental groups, each treated subcutaneously with different amounts of cephacetrile (50, 100 and 500 mg/kg/die), control group receiving physiological solution. Effects of the preparation on fertility and post-natal growth in rats were analyzed, and trials were performed to test perinatal toxicity and teratogenesis in rabbits. From the observation of the experimental data collected it can be assumed that cephacetrile, administered subcutaneously in the given doses--1, 2 and 10 times, respectively, higher than the maximum therapeutic dose advisable--does not alter fertility, gestation and post-natal development of term foetuses of rats and fertility and gestation of rabbits.

Drug-induced lysosomal changes and nephrotoxicity in rats.

Lysosomal involvement in renal tubular lesions was studied mainly by electronmicroscopy after single and repeated administrations of cephacetrile, cephalothin, cephaloridine, gentamicin or leupeptin and combine administrations of cephalothin and gentamicin or gentamicin and leupeptin in female Wistar rats. Large cytosomes of high density were increased due probably to either reabsorption and secretion of drugs or their metabolites. These cytosomes displaying acid phosphatase activity were demonstrated histochemically and were identified as heterolysosomes. In rats treated with cephaloridine, gentamicin or leupeptin, disruption of lysosomal membrane was noted and regional cytoplasmic destruction was seen in the vicinity of the disrupted heterolysosomes. Necrotic epithelial cells and renal insufficiency were observed in these animals. On the other hand, neither destruction of lysosomes nor cell lesion was found in rats treated with cephacetrile or cephalothin. It was speculated that lysosomal destruction might be the cause of the cell lesions found in cephaloridine, gentamicin or leupeptin treated rats.

[Experimental studies on the renal tolerance of cefuroxime (author's transl)]. / Experimentelle Untersuchungen zur Nierenverträglichkeit von Cefuroxime.

The potential renal tolerance of cefuroxime was investigated in 80 female albino Wistar rats and compared with that of cephacetrile. The drugs were administered i.m. in different dosages (1000, 2000, 3000 and 5000 mg/kg/day; dosage interval: 12 h) over a period of five days. The excretion of tubular cells and urinary malic dehydrogenase was assessed before, during and after administration of the antibiotics. In addition, the concentration of serum urea was analysed and the renal histology was examined. The following toxic threshold doses were estimated: cefuroxime 5000 mg/kg/day, cephacetrile 3000 mg/kg/day. In comparison with other cephalosporines cefuroxime belongs to those antibiotics with which a high degree of renal tolerance is demonstrated.