Renal Toxicity of Tetracycline Degradation Products

Abstract

Summary The toxic effects of 3 degradation products of tetracycline: 4-epitetracycline, anhydrotetracycline, and anhydro-4-epi-tetracycline were studied in rats and dogs. Anhydro-4-epi-tetracycline was the only degradation product which caused abnormal urinary findings similar to the Fanconi-type syndrome observed in man after ingestion of improperly stored tetracycline preparations. Severe, nephrotic changes were found in the kidneys of rats after very large oral doses (1000 mg/kg/day) and in dogs after intravenous doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg respectively on successive days.