Mitochondrial alterations in cisplatin-induced acute renal failure

The mild reversible nonoliguric form of acute renal failure is perhaps the most common of many nephrotoxic side effects that occur secondary to cisplatin administration. The present studies were undertaken to gain insight into mitochondria alterations and morphological abnormalities underlying this form of renal failure. Following a single intraperitoneal injection of 5.5 mg/kg body wt of cisplatin changes in renal function, mitochondrial respiration, and calcium accumulation were measured serially over a 9-day period. Results indicate that reversible functional changes secondary to cisplatin are accompanied by changes in mitochondrial respiration and calcium accumulation. A decline in state 3 mitochondrial respiration precedes mitochondrial calcium accumulation. However, calcium accumulation begins to recover before mitochondrial respiration. At the peak of functional and biochemical injury morphological damage is extensive, and mitochondria are strikingly aberrant. The results demonstrate that changes in mitochondrial respiration and calcium accumulation occur secondary to cisplatin administration. Both of these effects may play a role in the renal cellular injury induced by cisplatin.