Nephrotoxicity of bromobenzene in mice

I.p. administration of bromobenzene to male mice at doses ranging from 0 to 9.4 mmol kg resulted in a dose-dependent increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) activity and a decrease in renal cortical accumulation of para-aminohippurate (PAH) and tetraethylammonium (TEA). Induction of renal and hepatic mixed-function oxidases by β-naphthoflavone (BNF) did not result in any alterations in the hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic response to bromobenzene. Renal and hepatic non-protein sulfhydryl (NPSH) concentrations were decreased significantly 1 h after administration of bromobenzene (7.5 mmol kg ) and were maximally depleted in both organs to 18% of control after 7 h. Depletion of renal NPSH by bromobenzene was dose-dependent up to 9.4 mmol kg . Treatment of mice with diethyl maleate (DEM) (0.6 ml kg ) 60 min prior to bromobenzene administration resulted in greater hepatotoxicity, evidenced by increased SGPT, while renal toxicity was unchanged. These data demonstrate that large doses of bromobenzene produce functional alterations in the kidney.