Interaction of potassium dichromate with the nephrotoxins, mercuric chloride and citrinin.

Potassium dichromate enhanced the effects of mercuric chloride or citrinin on renal slice transport of the organic ions p-aminohippurate (PAH) and tetraethylammonium (TEA) under certain experimental conditions. At the doses employed and times studied no effects, or only minimal effects, were observed on renal slice transport when the toxins were tested individually. Potassium dichromate (10 mg/kg) administered subcutaneously (s.c.) in combination with mercuric chloride (4 mg/kg, s.c.) or citrinin 35 or 55 mg/kg administered intraperitoneally (i.p.), resulted in a marked depression of organic ion transport. Similarly, the addition of potassium dichromate to fresh renal cortex slices in combination with mercuric chloride, enhanced the mercuric chloride-induced reduction of transport. No other interactions were observed under in vitro conditions.