Effect of urine pH and flow on renal clearance of methotrexate

Hydration and urinary alkalinization are used with high doses of methotrexate (MTX) to prevent precipitation of the drug in the renal tubules and consequential nephrotoxicity. The quantitative effect of these measures on the renal clearance of MTX was studied in 8 patients with normal renal function, and in 3 patients with reduced renal function. Multiple regression analysis indicated an influence of both factors on the ratio of the renal clearances of MTX and creatinine. In the eleven patients there was a linear correlation between this ratio and urine pH (p less than 0.001); the ratio increased from 0.88 at pH 5.5 to 2.62 at pH 8.4. The pH effect on this ratio was similar in the patients with normal and reduced kidney function. An increase in urine flow did not significantly increase the ratio between renal clearance of MTX and creatinine. The effect of urinary alkalinization on renal MTX clearance could be clinically exploited in patients with delayed elimination of MTX. The probable modifying effect of alkalinization of urine on the intentionally high plasma concentration after high dose MTX infusions should be further evaluated, particularly in patients with normal renal function.