Protective effect of pipercillin against nephrotoxicity of vancomycin in rabbits

• Published in: CHEMOTHERAPY Vol. 42; no. 6; pp. 699 - 706
• Main Authors: Nagai, Akio, Nagasawa, Mineko, Kawamura, Yasuhito, Kodama, Takuya, Yamada, Hisashi, Minami, Shinzaburou, Watanabe, Yasuo, Narita, Hirokazu, Ogi, Mitsuo, Shimizu, Kihachiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society of Chemotherapy 1994
• Subjects: piperacillin; vancomycin
• ISSN: 0009-3165; 1884-5894
• DOI: 10.11250/chemotherapy1953.42.699

The protective effect of piperacillin against the nephrotoxicity of vancomycin was examined in rabbits. Nephrotoxicity was induced by the intravenous administration of vancomycin at a dose of 300 mg/kg (body weight). Piperacillin was intravenously administered at a dose of 600, 300 and 80 mg/kg (body weight) and immediately followed by the administration of vancomycin. Rabbits receiving vancomycin (300 mg/kg) showed elevation of blood urea nitrogen and creitinine concentration, and showed an increase in kidney weight in comparison with controls at 24 h after vancomycin dosing. Histological, slight tubular necrosis, severe tubular dilatation and severe hyaline cast formation were seen. Electron microscopically, degenerative features were observed in the proximal tubular epithelium. However, piperacillin (600, 300 and 80 mg/kg) significantly reduced these toxicological parameters. Although the administration of vancomycin slightly elevated the excretion of urinary phospholipids, elevation was prevented by the administration of piperacillin. These results suggest that piperacillin may have a protective effect against the nephrotoxicity of vancomycin in rabbits.