Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Induction of Nephrotic Syndrome in Mice by Retrobulbar Injection of Doxorubicin and Prevention of Volume Retention by Sustained Release Aprotinin
07:38

Induction of Nephrotic Syndrome in Mice by Retrobulbar Injection of Doxorubicin and Prevention of Volume Retention by Sustained Release Aprotinin

Published on: May 6, 2018

Human renal medullary interstitial cells and analgesic nephropathy

P H Whiting1, K Tisocki, G M Hawksworth

  • 1School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, England. pwhiting@DMU.ac.uk

Renal Failure
|July 23, 1999
PubMed

Insights

This study explored how papillotoxins affect human renal interstitial medullary cells (hRMIC). Phenylbutazone and mefenamic acid showed acute toxicity, while aspirin and paracetamol exhibited chronic toxicity in hRMIC cultures.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Toxicology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Analgesic nephropathy is a significant cause of chronic kidney disease.
  • The precise cellular mechanisms underlying analgesic nephropathy remain incompletely understood.
  • Investigating the direct effects of analgesics on renal cells is crucial for understanding pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish and characterize a human renal interstitial medullary cell (hRMIC) culture model.
  • To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of known papillotoxins on hRMIC.
  • To determine the potential of hRMIC for studying analgesic nephropathy.

Main Methods:

  • Primary culture of human renal medullary explants.
  • Selective isolation and expansion of interstitial cells.
  • Morphological and functional characterization of hRMIC.
  • Cytotoxicity assays (MTT) following acute (24h) and sub-chronic (7-day) exposure to papillotoxins.

Main Results:

  • A homogeneous population of hRMIC was successfully cultured, exhibiting characteristics of Type I interstitial cells.
  • Acute exposure (24h) showed significant cytotoxicity with phenylbutazone and mefenamic acid.
  • Sub-chronic exposure (7-day) revealed profound cytotoxicity with aspirin and paracetamol.
  • The rank order of cytotoxicity was phenylbutazone > mefenamic acid > aspirin > paracetamol.

Conclusions:

  • Human renal interstitial medullary cells (hRMIC) provide a viable model for investigating drug-induced kidney injury.
  • The study identified differential cytotoxic effects of various analgesics on hRMIC.
  • hRMIC cultures hold promise for elucidating early cellular events in analgesic nephropathy pathogenesis.

More Related Videos

Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Model for Investigating Kidney Interstitial Fibrosis04:37

Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Model for Investigating Kidney Interstitial Fibrosis

Published on: April 25, 2025

Modeling Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury in Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells06:23

Modeling Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury in Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells

Published on: November 21, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Nociception01:44

Nociception

Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain. Thus, pain helps the...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Nephrons01:10

Nephrons

The kidneys are intricate organs with millions of working units known as nephrons. Each nephron features two major structures: the renal corpuscle, which facilitates blood plasma filtration, and the renal tubule, which handles the glomerular filtrate. Blood supply is directly linked to the nephrons. The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary network, and the Bowman's capsule, a double-walled epithelial structure that encases the glomerulus. The filtering of blood plasma happens...
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology01:29

Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology

Acute kidney injury (AKI) causes are categorized into three primary categories based on the location of the injury: prerenal, intrarenal (or intrinsic), and postrenal causes. This classification guides clinical management and illustrates how different pathways can impair kidney function.Etiology and Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney Injury1. Prerenal causesEtiology: Prerenal Acute Kidney Injury, the most common type, occurs when reduced blood flow to the kidneys decreases filtration capacity...
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention01:30

Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention

Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...
Diabetic Nephropathy01:28

Diabetic Nephropathy

Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...