Nephrotoxic effect of 2?aminoanthraquinone in fischer rats

Abstract

After 12–14 weeks of administration of 2‐aminoanthraquinone at a level of 2% in the diet to Fischer F344 rats, female rats showed weight loss, alopecia, emaciation, ataxta, and finally, convulsions prior to death or sacrifice. Hematological studies in females revealed a depression of hematocrit values and a decline in hemoglobin and erythrocyte count, while both males and females showed an elevation of total leukocytes. In both sexes blood glucose concentration was increased and serum potassium levels were markedly elevated. In female rats blood urea nitrogen values were greatly increased. Histopathologically, females showed plugging of renal medullary and cortical tubules with yellow‐brown crystals, frequently accompanied by metaplasia of tubular epithelial cells, multinucleated giant cells, marked Interstitial fibrosis, and round cell infiltration. The bone marrow was hypoplastic. The primary toxicity of 2‐aminoanthraquinone appears to result in renal uremia, foci of tubular metaplasia, and hypoplasla of bone marrow. The effect on intact male rats was negligible. Castration of treated females slowed the onset of signs of toxicity, although pathological findings were largely similar to those of treated intact animals. Castration of treated males resulted in the development of symptoms similar to those of intact treated females.