Ochratoxin A-induced mycotoxic porcine nephropathy: alterations in enzyme activity in tubular cells

Mycotoxic porcine nephropathy was induced by p.o. administration of crystalline ochratoxin A for periods of 5 days, 3 months and 2 years. Enzyme activities of the renal tissue were studied histochemically. These were NADH-tetrazolium reductase, NADPH-tetrazolium reductase, lactate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, unspecific acid phosphatase and unspecific alkaline phosphatase. The activity of NADH-tetrazolium reductase and succinate dehydrogenase was reduced in the proximal tubule of all nephrons after 5 days ochratoxin A exposure and remained reduced after 3 months and 2 years exposure. The effect of ochratoxin A on these enzymes would appear to cause the impairment of proximal tubular function and the morphological changes observed in the proximal tubule in ochratoxin A-induced mycotoxic porcine nephropathy. The localization of alterations in enzyme activity corresponds to the localization of ochratoxin A previously demonstrated in the kidney. The activities of NADPH-tetrazolium reductase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and unspecific alkaline phosphatase were reduced focally corresponding to the areas with focal tubular atrophy and the degree of reduction was roughly parallel to the degree of atrophy.