EFFECTS OF INTRA-RENAL INJECTION OF NICKEL SUBSULFIDE IN RODENTS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 10  (1) , 54-64
Abstract
After intrarenal (i.r.) administration of 5 mg of nickel subsulfide (.alpha.Ni3S2) to Fischer rats, blood hematocrit increased within 1 wk and reached 76 .+-. 1% at 8 wk (P < 0.001 vs. mean hematocrit of 46 .+-. 1% in control rats). The .alpha. Ni3S2-induced erythrocytosis was attended by intense stimulation of erythropoiesis, with reticulocytosis, increased 59Fe-uptake into erythrocytes and erythroid hyperplasia in bone marrow and spleen. The half-life of 51Cr-labeled erythrocytes from .alpha.Ni3S2-treated rats was prolonged, consistent with increased proportion of circulating juvenile erythrocytes. Histological examination of rat kidneys after i.r. injection of .alpha.Ni3S2 showed mild inflammation at 1 and 2 wk. Dense black particles of .alpha.Ni3S2 were visible in histological sections of rat kidneys for 8 wk. 5''-Nucleotidase activity in rat kidney microsomes was inhibited at 1-7 days after i.r. injection of .alpha.Ni3S2. Erythrocytosis did not occur in rats after i.r. implantation of semi-permeable cellulose tubules containing .alpha.Ni3S2, repeated i.m. injections of .alpha.Ni3S2, or intrahepatic injection of .alpha.Ni3S2 after partial hepatectomy. Erythrocytosis did not occur in male BALB/c mice or ground squirrels [Citellus tridecemlineatus] after i.r. injection of .alpha.Ni3S2. [Erythropoietinemia and erythrocytosis may be early manifestations of renal neoplasia, since renal cancers frequently develop in rats at 8-20 mo. after i.r. injection of .alpha.Ni3S2.].