The protective effect of gamma-glutamyl L-dopa on the glycerol treated rat model of acute renal failure.

gamma-Glutamyl L-dopa, a renal pro-drug for dopamine, was administered to rats before and after injection of glycerol, and to a control group which received water in place of glycerol. A third group of rats was given glycerol but no gamma-glutamyl L-dopa. The plasma creatinine in rats given gamma-glutamyl L-dopa and glycerol was significantly lower than in rats receiving glycerol alone. The fall in urine creatinine excretion, and polyuria, after glycerol was reduced by gamma-glutamyl L-dopa and the natriuresis abolished. gamma-Glutamyl L-dopa given alone caused a 4000-fold increase in urine dopamine excretion, associated with a natriuresis. The administration of gamma-glutamyl L-dopa reduces the severity of renal failure produced by glycerol.