Effect of ochratoxin A on brush border enzymes of rat kidney

Ochratoxin A was given orally at 60 microgram/kg body weight in neutral olive oil to Fischer rats for 30 days, at which time they were killed. Clinical state, weights of animals and of their organs and urea and creatinine concentrations were not affected during the exposure period. Significant increases in the activity of enzymes in urine were found: 60% increase in alanine aminopeptidase, 45% increase in gamma-glutamyl-transferase and 90% increase in alkaline phosphatase. These changes indicate early pathological changes in the kidney. Relatively small amounts of the toxin thus affect kidney membrane cells.