THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ILOPROST AND THROMBOXANE SYNTHETASE INHIBITOR, UK-38485, AGAINST GLYCEROL - INDUCED ACUTE-RENAL-FAILURE IN RATS

Tissue protective activities of Iloprost, a stable analogue of PGI2, and of UK 38485, an inhibitor of thromboxane synthetase, were investigated in rats, in which acute renal failure was elicited by the injection of glycerol. The effects of these compounds on PGE2- and LTC4-like activities in the kidney tissue were also studied. Glycerol injection caused acute kidney damage as evidenced by light microscopic examination and abundant hematuria. Glycerol injection also caused an increase in tissue PGE2- and LTC4-like activities. Although both metabolites were increased, the ratio of PGE2/LTC4 was found to be decreased when compared with the control value. Both Iloprost and UK 38485 partially prevented tissue damage due to glycerol and caused an increase in the ratio of PGE2/LTC4. The preventive effects of the drugs were more pronounced when both drugs were used in combination. The participation of arachidonic acid metabolites in the mechanism of the production of kidney damage due to glycerol and possible preventive effects of the compounds are discussed.