Testing of drugs for nephrotoxicity. General principles and minimal criteria.

A programme for testing of drugs for nephrotoxicity is described. The characterization of nephrotoxic effects is possible using a selection of morphological and physiological methods. The validity of the different methods is discussed. The measurement of renal enzyme excretion is a very sensitive method for the detection of an injury of kidney. Alterations of renal excretion of electrolytes and p-aminohippurate can be measured in a simple diuresis study.