Study on the role of urine gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity during investigation of nephrotoxicity.

In this study, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities of the 24 h urine samples taken at the end of the fourth day from the rats to which 160 mg/kg/day gentamicin was applied i.p. for 4 days, were measured. Glucose determination in urine by the use of the glucose hexokinase method was also applied in order to control the reabsorption potentials of the tubules. The formation of necrosis in the kidneys was investigated by histological examinations of the damage occurred by the nephrotoxic effect. All the results were compared with the values obtained from the control group. The average gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity for the control group (n = 22) was determined as 5.68 +/- 0.26 IU/24 h whereas this level was detected as 15.6 +/- 1.0 IU/24 h in the drug applied group (n = 15). The measurement of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in urine can be applied as a useful parameter on determination of nephrotoxicity, especially for indicating the dimensions of this toxic effect.