title: Detection of rifampicin-induced nephrotoxicity by N-acetyl-3-D-glucosaminidase activity.
abstract: The objective of the present study was to assess renal damage, if any, by non-invasive technique, viz NAG activity in urine and GFR in patients on continuous and intermittent rifampicin therapy. Eighty-four tuberculosis patients for cross-sectional study and six subjects for longitudinal study on antitubercular therapy and ten patients on withdrawal of rifampicin participated in the investigation; 13 leprosy patients intermittently treated with rifampicin were also included. Twenty-seven normal subjects served as controls. Rifampicin on continuous use resulted in a progressive increase in enzymuria with no change in GFR. An additive toxic effect was obvious in patients receiving streptomycin; when the treatment was withdrawn the urinary NAG activity stabilized within 15-21 days. However, patients receiving rifampicin intermittently did not show any evidence of renal damage. The results suggest that there is a need for monitoring renal damage, particularly on antitubercular therapy, when nephrotoxic agents are administered together.
authors.affiliation: Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krishnaswamy
mesh_terms: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000652:urine*; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012293:Rifampin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013307:Streptomycin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase; D012293:Rifampin; D013307:Streptomycin