Renal response to vasopressin and indomethacin in cisplatin-treated rats

1. Cisplatin [6 mg/kg body weight, in 0.9% (w/v) NaCl] was injected intraperitoneally as a single dose to two groups of rats (Fischer 344 strain). Two further groups of rats, injected intraperitoneally with an equivalent volume of 0.9% (w/v) NaCl, were used as controls. The cisplatin-treated rats developed a pronounced polyuria which did not recover during an 18 week observation period. 2. After 21 weeks, one group of the cisplatin-treated animals received a 6 h infusion of 2.5% D-glucose. Vasopressin (60 mu-units min-1 100 g-1 body weight) was incorporated into the infusate for the final 2 h. A control group of animals received an identical infusion. One week later the other group of cisplatin-treated rats received a 6 h infusion of 0.9% (w/v) NaCl. Indomethacin was incorporated into the infusate for 15 min, at 3 h 52.5 min, to deliver a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. A control group again received an identical infusion. 3. Cisplatin did not impair the antidiuretic effect of vasopressin, but it reduced the natriuretic effect of vasopressin, and also impaired the ability of the animals to produce concentrated urine. 4. Cisplatin did not alter basal PGE2 excretion, or the reduction in PGE2 excretion induced by indomethacin. However, the urine flow in the cisplatin-treated group did not fall after indomethacin, whereas there was a fall in urine flow in the control group.