The effect of hydroxyl-containing dithiocarbamates on cisplatin-induced long-term renal dysfunction in Wistar rats

The possibility of a slow, longer term deterioration in renal function following the administration of cisplatin has been little studied in animal models. To obtain data on this we have examined renal function and histopathology at 30 days post i.p. cisplatin (5 mg/kg) treatment in female Wistar rats with and without the administration of hydroxyl-containing dithiocarbamates as a protective measure. In contrast to the studies terminated at shorter times, the degree of protection furnished by the use of dithiocarbamates at longer times post-treatment is less impressive. Results suggest that a continuing deterioration in renal function occurs at times greater than 1 week post-treatment when such dithiocarbamates are administered at 1 and 3 h post cisplatin. This was evidenced in both several measures of renal function and in the histopathology of the S3 segment of the proximal tubule.