DOSE-RESPONSE AND TIME-RESPONSE STUDY OF ERYTHROCYTOSIS IN RATS AFTER INTRARENAL INJECTION OF NICKEL SUBSULFIDE

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 7  (1) , 17-24
Abstract
Erythrocytosis was induced in Fischer rats by intrarenal (ir) injection of nickel subsulfide (Ni3S2) in dosages ranging from 0.6-10 mg/rat. Measurements of blood packed cell volume (PCV) became increased by 1 mo. after ir injection of Ni3S2; reached maximum values at approximately 2 mo.; and gradually returned to control values by 7 mo. The duration and magnitude of erythrocytosis were related to the dosage of Ni3S2. Increases in Hb concentrations and erythrocyte counts (RBC) in Ni3S2-treated rats were consistently proportional to blood PCV values. Blood Hb concentration was 24.9 .+-. 1.2 g/dl at 2 mo. after bilateral ir injection of Ni3S2 (10 mg/rat), versus 15.8 .+-. 0.5 g/dl in saline-injected controls (P < 0.001). No significant changes occurred in leukocyte or platelet counts of Ni3S2-treated rats. Autopsy of rats killed 2 mo. after ir injection of Ni3S2 showed marked erythroid hyperplasia of bone marrow and fibrotic needle tracts in renal parenchyma with localized deposits of particles of Ni3S2. In contrast to the erythrocytosis induced by ir injection of Ni3S2, administration of Ni3S2 by i.m. injection (10 mg/rat) had no significant effect upon blood PCV, RBC or Hb values or upon morphology of bone marrow.