Effect of Proteinuria on Toxicity of Mercurial Diuretics in the Rat

Summary Administration of human albumin to rats, with resultant proteinuria, prior to administration of mercurial diuretics, sharply reduces renal toxicity of the mercurial. This effect is attributed to inhibition, of mercurial reabsorption when the tubules are saturated with protein. Simultaneous administration of human albumin and the mercurial enhances toxicity. This effect is attributed to the more rapid absorption of mercurial, concomitant with more rapid reabsorption of protein during the tubular loading phase. The author gratefully acknowledges the invaluable technical assistance of Helen J. Ureen and Ruth Taniguchi. Dr. Lelland J. Rather reviewed the microscopic sections made for preliminary studies. The definitive studies were aided by Dr. Harry Goldblatt, who kindly reviewed and described the microscopic sections.