[Histopathological study regarding the protective effect of elastase on cis-platinum-induced renal toxicity]

A histopathological study was effected by using rats to evaluate whether or not elastase has a protective effect on the renal toxicity of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP). It was found that CDDP caused disorders mainly to the renal tubule--that is, atrophic and necrotic changes of the tubular epithelium. When elastase was used concomitantly with CDDP, such changes were considerably inhibited so that a relatively large part of the normal tissue architecture was preserved. The increase of the total platinum levels in the renal tissues was significantly suppressed with the addition of elastase and in the enzyme histochemical observation, the activity of the lysosomal enzymes and the alkaline phosphatase was maintained. The detailed mechanism of the protective effect of elastase against CDDP renal toxicity is unknown. However, these results suggested that elastase inhibited the platinum deposits in the renal tissue and played a role in the stabilization of the lysosomal and the plasma membranes, thus protecting the kidneys.