A nephropathy occuring in rats treated with dinitrochlorobenzene and N-methyl-N-nitroso guanidine

Chronic administration of a potent oral carcinogen N-Methyl-N-Nitroso guanidine (M.N.N.G.) failed to produce gastric carcinoma in CFHB Wistar rats sensitised to 2.4 dinitrochlorobenzene (D.N.C.B.). In addition animals receiving both D.N.C.B. alone and D.N.C.B. and M.N.N.G. developed a severe nephropathy characterised by heavy proteinuria and extensive renal cortical damage. The histological features include proliferation of parietal epithelial cells and mesangial sclerosis. An association between the nephropathy and long term D.N.C.B. administration is suggested and on the basis of investigation to date direct toxicity rather than immune complex disease seems more likely.