Stimulation of glutamine metabolism by the antiepileptic drug, sodium valproate, in isolated dog kidney tubules

The effects of sodium valproate, a widely used antiepileptic drug and an hyperammonemic agent, on glutamine and glutamate metabolism were studied in isolated dog kidney tubules. Valproate markedly stimulated glutamine removal as well as the formation of ammonia, aspartate, pyruvate, lactate, alanine and glucose; the increase in ammonia formation was explained by a stimulation by valproate of flux not only through glutaminase (EC 3.5.1.2) but also through glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.3). By contrast, valproate did not stimulate glutamate removal or ammonia, aspartate and glucose formation from glutamate; this suggests that the increase in flux through glutamate dehydrogenase with glutamine as substrate was secondary to the increase in flux through glutaminase. Accumulation of pyruvate, alanine and lactate in the presence of valproate was much less from glutamate than from glutamine. Inhibition by amino-oxyacetate of accumulation of aspartate and alanine from glutamine caused by valproate did not prevent the acceleration of glutamine utilization and the subsequent stimulation of ammonia formation. These data are consistent with a stimulatory effect of valproate primarily exerted at the level of glutaminase in dog kidney tubules. However, the fact that assayed activity of glutaminase remained unchanged in the presence of valproate suggests that this compound accelerates flux through the latter enzyme by an indirect mechanism probably related to the renal metabolism of this compound.     

Cisplatin nephrotoxicity: In vitro studies with precision-cut rabbit renal cortical slices

Severe nephrotoxic side effects limit the use of cisplatin, a potent anticancer drug. In this study, precision-cut renal cortical slices from rabbits were evaluated as a cisplatin nephrotoxicity model. Cortical slices accumulated approximately 180 ppm (195 ppm Pt = 10(-3) M) of platinum(II) after 18 hr of incubation in medium containing 10(-3) M cisplatin. Dose- and time-dependent toxic responses for clinically relevant concentrations of cisplatin (10(-3)-10(-5) M) were apparent using leakage of intracellular K+, ATP, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to determine cell damage. Histopathologic changes were also produced. Intracellular ATP levels dropped significantly after 6 hr of incubation in 10(-3) M cisplatin, and after 12 hr with 10(-4) M cisplatin. Similarly, intracellular K+ levels decreased significantly by 6 hr of incubation with 10(-3) M cisplatin but remained at control levels for 18 hr in the presence of 10(-4) M cisplatin. Decrements in intracellular LDH levels were not seen until after 12 hr of incubation in 10(-3) M cisplatin. The noncytotoxic isomer transplatin at 10(-3) M was not accumulated by slices; however, intracellular ATP levels were depressed. Of the viability parameters evaluated, intracellular K+ and ATP were found to be optimal indicators. Other active platinum analogs, carboplatin and iproplatin, also caused dose- and time-dependent leakage of intracellular K+ and ATP from renal cortical slices. The ranking of nephrotoxicity of the platinate compounds within this system at concentrations adjusted to approximate equivalent therapeutic activity was similar to that observed in vivo (cisplatin = iproplatin greater than carboplatin greater than transplatin). These results suggest that precision-cut renal cortical slices comprise a viable in vitro model for platinum-induced nephrotoxicity studies.     

Adenine nucleotide and calpain inhibitor I protect against atractyloside-induced toxicity in rat renal cortical slices in vitro

Atractyloside is a compound with a documented nephrotoxicity. It induces renal tubular necrosis at high doses and apoptosis at lower doses. This study investigates the potential protective effect of some chemical agents against atractyloside-induced nephrotoxicity in vitro using the precision-cut rat renal cortical slices obtained from kidneys of Wistar rats. For co-incubation experiments, slices were incubated for 3 h at 37 degrees C on a rocker platform with various chemical agents: ADP (5 mM), calpain inhibitor I (CPI, 1 mM), stevioside (STV, 2.5 mM) or probenecid (PRB, 2.5 mM) in the presence or absence of atractyloside (2 mM). For pre-incubation experiments, slices were incubated with the same chemical agents for 1 h before exposure to atractyloside. The nephrotoxic effects of atractyloside (2 mM) alone were manifested in several ways: by a marked increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) leakage, significant inhibition of p-aminohippurate (PAH) accumulation, marked depletion of intracellular ATP and reduced glutathione (GSH), and a significant reduction in pyruvate-stimulated gluconeogenesis. Co-incubation of slices with ADP or CPI and atractyloside completely blocked atractyloside-induced increase in LDH leakage, but not ALP leakage. Atractyloside-induced depletion of ATP and reduced gluconeogenesis was prevented by co-incubation with ADP or CPI. Furthermore, co-incubation of slices with STV and atractyloside, but not PRB, completely abolished atractyloside-induced depletion of ATP and decreased gluconeogenesis in the slices. Pre-incubation of slices with either ADP or CPI protected against atractyloside-induced increase in LDH leakage, reduced ATP and decreased gluconeogenesis. PAH uptake in the slices was inhibited by atractyloside and PRB in a time-dependent manner. While ADP and CPI were found to exert complete protection against atractyloside-induced toxicity irrespective of treatment schedule, STV is effective only under certain conditions, and PRB offer no protection at all. The results of this study demonstrate the usefulness of renal cortical slices as toxicology tool for evaluating and screening compounds for their potential protective effects, and are supportive of a role of adeninine nucleotide (ADP) and protease inhibitor (CPI) in protecting against atractyloside-induced cell injury.     

Metabolic and structural viability of precision-cut rat lung slices in culture

1. The principal objective was to evaluate the functional and structural integrity of precision-cut rat lung slices in culture over 72 h. 2. Lung slices metabolized 7-ethoxycoumarin in a time-dependent fashion, the major metabolites being the sulphate and glucuronide of 7-hydroxycoumarin with very low levels of the free compound. Prior treatment of rats with beta-naphthoflavone elevated markedly the rate of metabolism. The optimum slice thickness, as exemplified by the metabolism of 7-ethoxycoumarin, was about 600 microm. 3. Lung slices retained metabolic viability towards 7-ethoxycoumarin for 8 h, but after this point a marked decline in metabolic activity was noted. However, very low levels of activity were still evident following a 72 h incubation. 4. Morphological examination of lung slices revealed nuclear degeneration and loss of tissue architecture following 24h incubation. When cellular integrity was assessed using lactate dehydrogenase, a time-dependent leakage was evident with maximum loss occurring within 24h; longer incubations did not result in further leakage. 5. It is concluded that precision-cut rat lung slices, of 600 microm thickness, can be maintained metabolically viable in culture for some 8 h.     

Phase I and phase II metabolic activities are retained in liver slices from mouse, rat, dog, monkey and human after cryopreservation.

Precision-cut liver slices are described as a valuable tool for in vitro metabolism studies of potential drug candidates. Recently, some papers reported successful cryopreservation conditions for liver slices, facilitating a broader and more efficient use of the tissue (particularly of human origin). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of cryopreservation on both phase I and phase II metabolism in liver slices prepared from mouse, rat, dog, monkey and human, using rapid freezing in the presence of 18% DMSO. Glucuronidation and sulfation activities (phase II) in both freshly prepared and cryopreserved liver slices were determined by rapid LC-MS/MS analyses using 7-hydroxycoumarin as a marker substrate. Testosterone was used as a marker substrate for cytochrome P450 mediated drug metabolism (phase I). Although the metabolic patterns and rates varied among the different species, the phase I and phase II metabolic capacities of the liver slices were well maintained after cryopreservation. Despite the good biotransformation capacity of cryopreserved slices a decrease in viability, expressed as ATP content and LDH leakage, was observed. MTT reduction was well maintained after cryopreservation. The possibility to cryopreserve liver slices will allow a more efficient utilisation of tissue, in particular from human, but also from dog and monkey. Finally, cryopreserved liver slices from mouse, rat, dog, monkey and human with good phase I and II metabolism activities are a useful in vitro tool to compare metabolite profiles of new chemical entities between species.     

Monooxygenation, conjugation and other functions in cryopreserved rat liver slices until 24 h after thawing

For the extensive use of precision-cut liver slices (particularly of human origin) for toxicological investigations successful cryopreservation is necessary. But so far, survival of thawed slices was limited to few hours. This was now overcome by modification of previous procedures. The concentration of DMSO as a cryoprotectant was enhanced to 30%, and washing steps after rapid thawing were omitted. The slices were frozen in liquid nitrogen, thawed at 38 degrees C and incubated immediately in Williams medium E. Protein and potassium contents were stable until 24 h. Glutathione content, amounting to nearly 50% of fresh slices, increased during incubation. High initial lactate dehydrogenase leakage dropped after medium change to less than half during 2-24 h. Testosterone hydroxylation and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation rates were similar to fresh slices, the latter reaction was inducible by beta-naphthoflavone within 24 h. Methylumbelliferone glucuronidation and p-nitrophenol glucuronidation and sulfation were well measurable and either maintained or decreased by about 50% until 24 h.Altogether, the results are encouraging for further experiments to standardise cryopreservation conditions and to investigate the suitability of this cryopreservation protocol with human liver slices.     

2-AMINOPHENOL AND 4-AMINOPHENOL TOXICITY IN RENAL SLICES FROM SPRAGUE-DAWLEY AND FISCHER 344 RATS

This study examined differences in toxicity between 2- and 4-aminophenol using a renal cortical slice model. Renal cortical slice toxicity for 2- and 4-aminophenol was also monitored in tissue from Sprague-Dawley and Fischer 344 (F344) rats in order to determine potential strain differences for aminophenol toxicity. Renal cortical slices from Sprague-Dawley and F344 rats (age 50-65 d) were isolated and incubated for 15-120 min with 0-1 m M 2- or 4-aminophenol at 37 C under an oxygen atmosphere. Elevations in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage from renal cortical slices occurred at lower concentrations of 4-aminophenol than of 2-aminophenol from both strains of rats. Total glutathione levels were more markedly decreased by 4-aminophenol than by 2-aminophenol in renal slices from both strains. LDH release was elevated by 1 m M 2-aminophenol in renal slices from F344 rats, but values were comparable between control and treated in the renal slices from Sprague-Dawley rats. 4-Aminophenol was slightly more toxic to renal slices from F344 than from Sprague-Dawley rats. LDH release was increased, relative to controls, by 0.1 m M in the F344 rats group compared to 0.25 m M in the Sprague-Dawley group. Strain differences were not apparent when comparisons were made of total glutathione levels or rate-limiting substrates of gluconeogenesis. These results indicated that strain differences in toxicity were detected between SpragueDawley and F344 rat strains. Based on LDH release, renal cortical slices obtained from age-matched F344 rats were slightly more susceptible than Sprague-Dawley rats to toxicity by 2- and 4-aminophenol.     

In Vitro toxicity of 2- and 4-chloroaniline: comparisons with 4-amino-3-chlorophenol, 2-amino-5-chlorophenol and aminophenols

Chloroanilines have been associated with renal and hepatic toxicity. This study (a) examined the in vitro hepatic and renal toxicity of 2-chloroaniline and 4-chloroaniline, (b) further examined whether aromatic ring hydroxylation would increase toxicity of the parent compound and (c) compared toxicity between respective aminochlorophenol and aminophenol. Renal and hepatic slices were exposed to varying concentrations of 2-chloroaniline, 4-chloroaniline. 4-amino-3-chlorophenol, 2-amino-5-chlorophenol, 2-aminophenol or 4-aminophenol. Toxicity was monitored by measurement of pyruvate-directed gluconeogenesis and leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Hepatic tissue was less susceptible to toxicity than kidney tissue for all compounds since LDH leakage was elevated only in renal tissue. Gluconeogenesis was reduced in renal cortical slices exposed to 0.1 μ aminochlorophenols or 4-aminophenol, whereas a concentration of 0.5 μ was necessary for the chloroanilines and 2-aminophenol. LDH release was increased in renal slices by aminochlorophenols and aminophenols but not by the chloroanilines. The nephrotoxic potential in renal cortical slices was 4-aminophenol > 2-amino-5-chlorophenol > 4-amino-3-chlorophenol > 2-aminophenol > 2-chloroaniline = 4-chloroaniline. These results suggest that aromatic ring hydroxylation increased in vitro toxicity of the chloroanilines. Comparison of aminophenols with aminochlorophenols indicated that addition of a halogen can have variable effects on toxicity.     

Characterization of myoglobin toxicity in renal cortical slices from Fischer 344 rats

Rhabdomyolysis is associated with acute renal failure. The following study first characterized myoglobin in vitro toxicity using renal cortical slices isolated from male Fischer 344 rats. This model provided interaction between various cells within the nephron and provides myoglobin access predominantly through the basolateral membrane. Second, this study examined the effect of deferoxamine (DFX) and glutathione on myoglobin toxicity to determine the role of radicals and iron. Renal cortical slices were incubated for 30-120 min with 0, 4, 10 or 12 mg/ml myoglobin. Myoglobin was pretreated with 4 mM ascorbic acid prior to addition to the slices to ensure that myoglobin was in its reduced state. In other experiments tissues were pretreated for 15 min with 0.1 mM of the iron chelator DFX or 30 min with 1 mM glutathione prior to co-incubation with myoglobin. Finally, slices were pretreated with 1 mM glutathione for 30 min, rinsed and incubated only with myoglobin. Early event changes occurred within a 60 min exposure and included a decline in pyruvate-stimulated gluconeogenesis, increased lipid peroxidation levels and decreased glutathione levels. Loss of ATP levels and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release required a 120 min exposure to myoglobin. DFX reduced myoglobin induced effects on LDH leakage but had no effect on gluconeogenesis suggesting that myoglobin toxicity had an iron dependent (LDH) and independent (gluconeogenesis) pathway. Pretreatment with glutathione provided complete protection and was mediated by intracellular events.     

Characterization of myoglobin toxicity in renal cortical slices from Fischer 344 rats

Rhabdomyolysis is associated with acute renal failure. The following study first characterized myoglobin in vitro toxicity using renal cortical slices isolated from male Fischer 344 rats. This model provided interaction between various cells within the nephron and provides myoglobin access predominantly through the basolateral membrane. Second, this study examined the effect of deferoxamine (DFX) and glutathione on myoglobin toxicity to determine the role of radicals and iron. Renal cortical slices were incubated for 30-120 min with 0, 4, 10 or 12 mg/ml myoglobin. Myoglobin was pretreated with 4 mM ascorbic acid prior to addition to the slices to ensure that myoglobin was in its reduced state. In other experiments tissues were pretreated for 15 min with 0.1 mM of the iron chelator DFX or 30 min with 1 mM glutathione prior to co-incubation with myoglobin. Finally, slices were pretreated with 1 mM glutathione for 30 min, rinsed and incubated only with myoglobin. Early event changes occurred within a 60 min exposure and included a decline in pyruvate-stimulated gluconeogenesis, increased lipid peroxidation levels and decreased glutathione levels. Loss of ATP levels and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release required a 120 min exposure to myoglobin. DFX reduced myoglobin induced effects on LDH leakage but had no effect on gluconeogenesis suggesting that myoglobin toxicity had an iron dependent (LDH) and independent (gluconeogenesis) pathway. Pretreatment with glutathione provided complete protection and was mediated by intracellular events.     

Metabolic and structural viability of precision-cut rat lung slices in culture

1. The principal objective was to evaluate the functional and structural integrity of precision-cut rat lung slices in culture over 72?h.

2. Lung slices metabolized 7-ethoxycoumarin in a time-dependent fashion, the major metabolites being the sulphate and glucuronide of 7-hydroxycoumarin with very low levels of the free compound. Prior treatment of rats with β-naphthoflavone elevated markedly the rate of metabolism. The optimum slice thickness, as exemplified by the metabolism of 7-ethoxycoumarin, was about 600?µm.

3. Lung slices retained metabolic viability towards 7-ethoxycoumarin for 8?h, but after this point a marked decline in metabolic activity was noted. However, very low levels of activity were still evident following a 72?h incubation.

4. Morphological examination of lung slices revealed nuclear degeneration and loss of tissue architecture following 24?h incubation. When cellular integrity was assessed using lactate dehydrogenase, a time-dependent leakage was evident with maximum loss occurring within 24?h; longer incubations did not result in further leakage.

5. It is concluded that precision-cut rat lung slices, of 600?µm thickness, can be maintained metabolically viable in culture for some 8?h.

     

The toxic mechanism and metabolic effects of atractyloside in precision-cut pig kidney and liver slices

The toxic and cellular metabolic effects of atractyloside, a diterpenoid glycoside, which causes fatal renal and hepatic necrosis in vivo in animals and humans, have been investigated in tissue slices prepared from male domestic pig kidney and liver. Precision-cut slices (200 μm thick) were incubated with atractyloside at concentrations of 200 μM, 500 μ M, 1.0 mM and 2.0 mM for 3 h at 37 °C and changes in lipid profile and pyruvate-stimulated gluconeogenesis investigated. Lipid peroxidative changes, reduced glutathione (GSH) and ATP content, the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) were also assessed. After 3 h of incubation, atractyloside caused a significant (P < 0.01) and concentration-dependent leakage of LDH and ALP from kidney slices. Only LDH leakage was significantly elevated in liver slices while ALT and AST leakage showed marginal increase. Atractyloside at concentrations of ≥200 μ M caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation, but only in liver slices. However, atractyloside at concentrations of ≥200 μ M caused a marked depletion of GSH and ATP content in both kidney and liver slices. There was a marked decrease in total and individual phospholipid in kidney but not in liver slices. However, cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were not affected by atractyloside in both kidney and liver slices. Renal and hepatic pyruvate-stimulated gluconeogenesis were significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited at atractyloside concentrations of ≥500 μM. Accumulation of organic anion p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) was also inhibited in renal cortical slices at atractyloside concentrations of ≥500 μM. These results suggest that the observable in vivo effect of atractyloside can be reproduced in slices and that basic mechanistic differences exist in the mode of toxicity in liver and kidney tissues. The data also raise the possibility that the mechanistic basis of metabolic alterations in these tissues following treatment with atractyloside may be relevant to target selective toxicity. Received: 21 January 1998 / Accepted: 23 March 1998     

Targets of chloroacetaldehyde-induced nephrotoxicity

Chloroacetaldehyde, one of the main products of hepatic ifosfamide metabolism, contributes to its nephrotoxicity. However, the pathophysiology of this toxicity is not fully understood. The present work examined the time and dose effects of clinically relevant concentrations of chloroacetaldehyde (25–75 μM) on precision-cut rat renal cortical slices metabolizing a physiological concentration of lactate. Chloroacetaldehyde toxicity was demonstrated by the decrease in total glutathione and cellular ATP levels. The drop of cellular ATP was linked to the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation at the level of complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The large decrease in glucose synthesis from lactate was explained by the inhibition of some gluconeogenic enzymes, mainly glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The decrease in lactate utilization was demonstrated not only by a defect of gluconeogenesis but also by the decrease in [¹⁴CO₂] formation from [U-¹⁴C]-lactate. All the effects of chloroacetaldehyde were concentration and time-dependent. Finally, the chloroacetaldehyde-induced inhibition of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, which is also a glycolytic enzyme, suggests that, under conditions close to those found during ifosfamide therapy, the inhibition of glycolytic pathway by chloroacetaldehyde might be responsible, at least in part, for the therapeutic efficacy of ifosfamide.     

Atractyloside nephrotoxicity: in vitro studies with suspensions of rat renal fragments and precision-cut cortical slices

The consumption of plants containing atractyloside, a diterpenoid glycoside, causes selective proximal tubule injury leading to renal failure and death in humans. The underlying mechanisms responsible for its toxicity are still not well understood. The present study was therefore carried out to determine the mechanism and the exact sequence of events that lead to molecular toxic injury. A comparative study using renal cortical slices, suspension of freshly isolated renal proximal tubular fragments and glomeruli of male Wistar rat was made. These in vitro systems were exposed to 100-1000 mM atractyloside for 2-3 h at 37 degrees C. Atractyloside caused a significant alteration in various toxicity parameters in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in renal cortical slices and proximal tubular fragments, but not in glomeruli. The earliest change following exposure to atractyloside (1000 microM) was a significant reduction of intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) content occurring within 1 h in the tubules and 2 h in slices. The significant depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) inhibitor of p-aminohippuric (acid) (PAH) uptake and gluconeogenesis occurred simultaneously following loss of cellular energy. These events were only limited to the renal cortical slices and proximal tubular fragments. Increased severity of cellular injury resulted in cytotoxicity with the significant increase in the leakage of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in proximal tubular fragments (occurring at 2 h) and renal cortical slices (occurring at 3 h). There were, however, no alterations in oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels or in the ratio of GSH/GSSG. Only limited lipid peroxidation in proximal tubular fragments and glomeruli was observed at atractyloside concentrations of 500 microM and above. In all cases of toxicity, the glomeruli were unaffected. Pretreatment of slices or fragments with probenecid (1.0 mM) failed to completely abolish atractyloside toxicity. These data demonstrate dose- and time-dependent toxicity of atractyloside and clearly confirmed the proximal tubular fragments as the target tissue. Atractyloside exhibits a toxicity profile that indicates early alteration in mitochondrial function and consequently loss of cellular energy, followed by reduced metabolic function and transport processes and ultimately cell death. This appears to be the most likely mechanism by which atractyloside exerted its acute cytotoxicity. Renal cortical slices, which maintain proximal tubule and glomeruli in their anatomic relationship, responded similarly to atractyloside toxicity as the proximal tubular fragments, and might be suggested as the most suitable in vitro model system for studying the mechanisms of atractyloside toxicity as they are more likely to mirror changes seen in the whole organ.     

Organotins disrupt components of glutamate homeostasis in rat astrocyte cultures.

A rat cortical astrocyte preparation was used to investigate the effects of organotins on glutamate regulation by astrocytes. Exposure of astrocytes to low levels of organotins produced significant changes in two key components of glutamate homeostasis: glutamine synthetase (CS) activity and the high-affinity transport of L-glutamate. Trimethyltin (TMT), triethyltin (TET), and triphenyltin (TPT) exhibited differential abilities to reduce GS activity and glutamate uptake. Cultures incubated with 1 microM TET or TPT, but not TMT, exhibited a marked decrease in GS activity. Exposure to TET or TPT also produced a significant decrease in glutamate transport activity that was not observed with TMT. These declines in activity were not attributable to cell loss as measured by MTT reduction and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. Since the loss of GS activity and transporter activity was not seen with acute organotin exposure, it is most likely attributable to a decreased presence of fully functioning protein. While the attenuation of GS and glutamate transporter activities by organotins does not match their pattern of neurotoxicity, the results indicate the potential for subtoxic concentrations of these compounds to increase extracellular glutamate and interact with other excitotoxic episodes.     

Nonionic contrast media are less nephrotoxic than ionic contrast media to rat renal cortical slices

BACKGROUND: Nephrotoxicity induced by contrast media (CM) is well recognized. Nonionic CM with lower osmolality than that of conventional ionic CM have been developed in an effort to reduce toxicity. However, the nephrotoxic effects of nonionic CM have not been well evaluated. Although our previous experiments using rat renal cortical slices indicated that the direct cellular toxicity of nonionic CM is less than that of ionic CM, it was suggested that the less toxic effects of nonionic CM on the metabolic function of renal epithelial cells were in part attributable to the lower osmolality of nonionic CM. In the present experiment, the direct toxicity of nonionic CM on renal epithelial cells was compared with that of ionic CM under equiosmolar conditions, where the effects of osmotic pressure were excluded. METHODS: Rat renal cortical slices were incubated with several kinds of CM at 37 degrees C for 120 min. Diatrizoate and iothalamate were employed as ionic CM. Iopamidol and iohexol were employed as nonionic CM. The activities of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGTP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released from the renal slices into the incubation buffer were determined in order to evaluate renal epithelial damage caused by CM. Gluconeogenesis, p-aminohippuric (PAH) acid accumulation and ATP content in rat renal slices were determined with a view to examine the inhibitory effects of CM on the metabolic function of renal epithelial cells. The toxic effects of nonionic CM were compared with those of ionic CM under equiosmolar conditions, where mannitol was added to the experimental groups containing nonionic CM in order to exclude the effects of osmotic pressure. RESULTS: A significant difference was generally not found with regard to enzyme release between ionic CM and nonionic CM plus mannitol. The inhibition of gluconeogenesis and PAH accumulation in rat renal slices by nonionic CM with mannitol was less than that by ionic CM. Although the ATP content was reduced by both ionic CM and nonionic CM plus mannitol, there was no significant difference between these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present experiments demonstrated that nonionic CM were less nephrotoxic than ionic CM with regard to the function of renal epithelial cells, including gluconeogenesis and PAH accumulation, under equiosmolar conditions. These differences in nephrotoxicity between ionic and nonionic CM cannot be fully attributable to differences in osmotic pressure.     

Comparative gastric ulcerogenic effects of meseclazone, 5-chlorosalicylic acid and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs following acute and repeated oral administration to rats

Rats injected with α-methylglutamate (MGA) excreted less ammonium, and renal slices from these rats produced less ammonia. When renal slices from normal rats were incubated in MGA, ammoniagenesis from glutamine decreased slightly; but glutamate accumulation increased markedly. In contrast, dl-methionine dl-sulfoximine (MS), a relatively specific inhibitor of glutamine synthesis and transferase, enhanced both glutamate accumulation and ammoniagenesis by slices from control rat kidneys. While it is generally accepted that MGA inhibits glutamine synthetase and transferase activity, the results with MGA do not mimic those found with MS. Additionally, MGA decreased ammoniagenesis and increased glutamate accumulation in slices already incubating in MS and in slices from acidotic rats. These are circumstances where slices should have minimal synthetase and transferase activity. It is concluded that MGA decreases renal ammoniagenesis through other pathways, perhaps via inhibition of the glutaminase and the glutamate dehydrogenase routes.     

3,4-Dichlorophenylhydroxylamine cytotoxicity in renal cortical slices from Fischer 344 rats

3,4-Dichlorophenylhydroxylamine (3,4-CPHA) is the N-hydroxyl metabolite of 3,4-dichloroaniline. 3,4-Dichloroaniline is a breakdown product of the herbicide Propanil. Previous work has shown that 3,4-dichloroaniline is acutely toxic to the kidney and bladder. The purpose of this study was to examine the in vitro toxicity of 3,4-dichlorophenylhydroxylamine. Renal cortical slices were prepared from male Fischer 344 rats (190-250 g) and were incubated with 0-0.5 mM 3,4-CPHA for 30-120 min under oxygen and constant shaking. 3,4-CPHA produced a concentration and time dependent alteration in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, organic ion accumulation and pyruvate stimulated gluconeogenesis. Glutathione levels were diminished within 60 min below control values by 0.1 and 0.5 mM 3,4-CPHA. A 30 min pretreatment with 0.1 mM deferoxamine did not alter 3,4-CPHA toxicity. Alterations in pyruvate stimulated gluconeogenesis and LDH leakage were comparable between vehicle and deferoxamine pretreated tissues. Other studies examined the effect of (1 mM) glutathione, 2 mM ascorbic acid and 1 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) on toxicity. Pretreatment for 30 min with vehicle or 1 mM DTT induced comparable changes in LDH leakage and pyruvate stimulated gluconeogenesis. Pretreatment for 30 min with 1 mM glutathione or 2 mM ascorbic acid reduced 3,4-CPHA toxicity. LDH leakage was not elevated as markedly in renal slices pretreated with glutathione relative to slices pretreated with vehicle. These results indicate that 3,4-CPHA toxicity is through an iron independent mechanism. 3,4-CPHA cytotoxicity was reduced by pretreatment with glutathione or ascorbic acid suggesting formation of a reactive intermediate.     

Effects of Lewisite on cell membrane integrity and energy metabolism in human keratinocytes and SCL II cells

Lewisite is a highly toxic arsenic compound which can cause skin damage. In the present study effects of Lewisite on cell membrane integrity and energy metabolism as well as antidotal effects of DL-2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfonate (DMPS), and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (m-DMSA) were investigated in a keratinocyte derived cell line (SCL II) and primary human keratinocytes (HK). Cells were incubated in Lewisite (60 microM) containing medium for 5 min. During the following 6 h lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the supernatant, intracellular ATP content, tetrazolium reduction, glucose consumption and lactate formation were measured. Glucose consumption and lactate production were decreased in both cell lines after Lewisite exposure. In SCL II cells an increase of LDH activity in the supernatant, a decrease of ATP content, and an impaired ability to reduce tetrazolium was found 3 h after Lewisite exposure. In HK cultures tetrazolium reduction was significantly decreased already after 2 h, whereas LDH increase in the supernatant and ATP content decrease occurred only at 6 h after Lewisite exposure. When DMPS or m-DMSA was added directly after Lewisite exposure to SCL II cells, glucose consumption and lactate formation were restored and LDH leakage was prevented. SCL II cells might be more prone to membrane damage whereas in keratinocytes mitochondrial impairment seems to be the predominant effect of Lewisite.     

Further examination of the selective toxicity of CCl4 in rat liver slices.

Lipid peroxidation and loss of enzymes located predominantly in either periportal or centrilobular hepatocytes were investigated in precision-cut liver slices from male Sprague-Dawley rats. Pretreatment of animals with 80 mg/kg phenobarbital for the site-specific enzyme studies enhanced and accelerated CCl4 toxicity in slices resulting from increased radical formation. Liver slices were exposed to 0.57 mM CCl4 by vaporization using a roller incubation system at 37 degrees C for a total of 9 hr. Conjugated diene formation, an index of lipid peroxidation, was detected 15 min following CCl4 administration and increased over time. Loss of cytochrome P450 occurred in a time-dependent manner relative to controls where levels in treated slices were 42% of controls at 9 hr. A 48-hr fast prior to termination increased intracellular K+ leakage relative to that present in slices from fed animals. Significant leakage of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and beta-glucuronidase from centrilobular hepatocytes occurred 9 hr following CCl4 administration. The content of the periportal enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase and sorbitol dehydrogenase) was unchanged in the same slices over the duration of the experiment. Reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide, a mitochondrial selective dye and indicator of viability, was significantly lower in treated slices from phenobarbital-treated animals at 9 hr relative to controls. These studies demonstrate that precision-cut slices are an ideal in vitro system for mechanistic studies and the investigation of site-specific toxicants since the integral architecture of the liver and cellular identity are maintained.