Differential effects of cisplatin on mouse hepatic and renal mitochondrial DNA

The objective of this study was to determine if the nephrotoxic effects induced by cisplatin were correlated to mitochondrial DNA damage. Comparisons were made with the liver since hepatotoxicity is rarely observed. Cisplatin doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg were administered intraperitoneally to C57BL/6J mice. Mitochondrial DNA was isolated from both the hepatic and renal tissues and quantitated by hybridization with a specific mitochondrial probe. Cisplatin caused differential effects on mouse hepatic and renal mitochondrial DNA. The 10 and 20 mg/kg dose caused an elevation in mitochondrial DNA levels in the hepatic, but no increase in the renal tissue was observed. This is the first study demonstrating an organ specific effect of cisplatin at the DNA level.