Iron supplementation increases gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats.
Gentamicin (GM), an aminoglycoside antibiotic, can cause acute renal failure in humans and experimental animals. It has been proposed that lipid peroxidation may play a role in GM nephrotoxicity. Nutrients such as copper, selenium or iron that influence lipid peroxidation may also be a factor in toxicity. This study investigated the effect of supplemental dietary iron on the nephrotoxicity of GM. Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed control [0.75 mmol (42 mg) iron/kg] or iron-supplemented [4.32 mmol (242 mg) iron/kg] diets for 3 wk. Rats were subsequently injected intraperitoneally with GM (50 or 100 mg.kg body wt-1.d-1) or saline for 8 d. High dietary iron resulted in greater sensitivity to GM (100 mg/kg body wt) toxicity in terms of elevated urinary excretion of n-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) and increased mineralization, casts and megalocytes in renal tubules. After GM treatment was terminated, NAG excretion decreased with both dietary treatments. However, renal tubular cell damage, due to GM, remained higher than in saline-treated controls in rats fed 4.32 mmol iron/kg diet.
Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
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Kays
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Crowell
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Johnson
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004032:Diet; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000633:toxicity*; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000502:physiology; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014018:Tissue Distribution / Q000187:drug effects
D005839:Gentamicins; D007501:Iron