Amelioration of gentamicin nephrotoxicity by phospholipids

The effect of phospholipids on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats. Group 1a (5 rats) were given daily intraperitoneal injections of 100 mg/kg of gentamicin and sacrificed on day 7. Group 1b (10 rats) were similarly treated but were sacrificed on day 14. Group 2a (5 rats) were given 30 mg/kg of phospholipids for 6 days and sacrificed on day 7, serving as phospholipid controls. Group 2b (5 rats) were similarly treated, and from day 7 onwards daily intraperitoneal injections of 100 mg/kg of gentamicin were given while oral phospholipids were continued until the rats were sacrificed 7 days after gentamicin treatment. Group 2c (10 rats) were treated in the same manner as group 2b but the animals were sacrificed on day 28 after gentamicin treatment. Group 3 (10 rats) were given 30 mg/kg of phospholipids concurrently with intraperitoneal gentamicin injections and were sacrificed on day 28. Protein concentrations, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) activities and creatinine were measured in 24-h urine samples. Serum creatinine concentrations were measured in blood samples and 24-h creatinine clearance calculated. Gentamicin concentrations were determined in kidney tissues from which sections were also taken for light- and electron-microscopy. Results showed that gentamicin induced a marked increase in NAG and protein excretion, and a marked decrease in creatinine clearance with six rats succumbing to uraemia. Phospholipid treatment, whether started before or concurrently with gentamicin injections, reduced gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. The rats did not lose weight. Urinary excretion of NAG and protein was significantly reduced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)