CYCLOSPORIN-A INHIBITS ACUTE SERUM SICKNESS NEPHRITIS IN RABBITS

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (3) , 586-594
Abstract
The effect of the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporin A (Cy A) on the renal injury in acute serum sickness was examined in rabbits. Serum sickness was induced in 23 untreated NZW [New Zealand white] rabbits by a single i.v. injection of bovine serum albumin (BSA) 250 mg/kg with Escherichia coli endotoxin (5 .mu.g/kg): BSA was eliminated after 8.6 .+-. 0.16 days (mean .+-. SE (mean)); proteinuria occurred in 19 (84%) and glomerular proliferation in 20 (87%) rabbits. When Cy A (15 or 25 mg/kg) was given daily by i.m. injection, starting either 2 days before or at the time of induction of acute serum sickness, proteinuria was profoundly reduced and glomerular proliferation was inhibited. Even when rabbits were first trated with Cy A (25 mg/kg) 5 days after the induction of disease proteinuria and glomerular proliferation were similarly inhibited. When the treated animals were compared with controls there were no differences in the following: time to elimination of BSA, amount or size of circulating immune complexes, fall in serum C3 [complement component 3] at immune elimination, or deposition of immune reactants in the glomeruli. Cy A inhibits the renal injury of acute serum sickness and indicate that T cells may play a role in mediating the nephritis in this condition.