Structure-nephrotoxicity relationships of S-(2-chloroethyl)-DL-cysteine and analogs: role for an episulfonium ion.

1,2-Dichloroethane produces kidney damage, but the mechanism is unclear. Cysteine conjugates, which could arise from S-(2-chloroethyl)glutathione or S-(2-chloroethyl)cysteine have been identified. In this study, rats given S-(2-chloroethyl)-DL-cysteine (100 mg/kg i.p.) showed significant increases in blood urea nitrogen and urine glucose concentrations. Histopathological examination of kidneys, 36 hr after treatment showed acute proximal tubular nephrosis and punctuate glomerular necrosis. No hepatic lesions were seen and serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase activities were only elevated slightly. The extent of S-(2-chloroethyl)-DL-cysteine renal toxicity was dose- and time-dependent. Equimolar doses of analogs of S-(2-chloroethyl)-DL-cysteine, S-ethyl-L-cysteine, S-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-acetyl-DL-cysteine, S-(2-hydroxyethyl)-DL-cysteine, or S-(3-chloropropyl)-DL-cysteine, failed to produce nephrotoxicity; rats given L-cysteine (100 mg/kg i.p.), S-ethyl-L-cysteine (100 mg/kg i.p.) or probenecid (60 mg/kg i.p.) 30 min before receiving S-(2-chloroethyl)-DL-cysteine had significant reductions of the S-(2-chloroethyl)-DL-cysteine-induced blood urea nitrogen and urine glucose elevations. These results show that S-(2-chloroethyl)-DL-cysteine is a potent, selective nephrotoxin that may be responsible for the renal damage associated with 1,2-dichloroethane. The formation of an episulfonium ion plays an important role in S-(2-chloroethyl)-DL-cysteine-induced nephrotoxicity. The protection against renal damage provided by S-ethyl-L-cysteine or probenecid may involve competition with S-(2-chloroethyl)-DL-cysteine for cellular or transport binding sites.