EFFECT OF BASIC-AMINO-ACIDS AND AMINOGLYCOSIDES ON H-3 GENTAMICIN UPTAKE IN CORTICAL SLICES OF RAT AND HUMAN-KIDNEY

Abstract

The uptake of 3H-gentamicin was assessed in renal cortical slices of Fischer 344 male rats and 4 human cadaver kidneys not utilized for renal transplantation. In both species the uptake was maximal at 90 min and maintained a steady state thereafter. The characteristics of the energy-dependent component of 3H-gentamicin uptake were not altered by various basic amino acids, but competitive inhibition was induced by other aminoglycosides in a dose-dependent fashion. Thus aminoglycosides appear to share a transport process that is distinct from those of organic bases or other cationic substances. The basolateral membrane of the tubular cell is capable of energy-dependent uptake of gentamicin. The role of this route of cellular uptake of aminoglycoside in clinical nephrotoxicity is speculative.