The selective action of nickel on tubule function in rabbit kidneys.

Two days after intraperitoneal injection of NiCl2 (20 mumol/kg) into rabbits the same apparently uncompetitive inhibition of aspartate reabsorption is seen as was previously observed following acute exposure to other metals. This dose of Ni reduced the calculated maximum tubular transport rate for aspartate (Tm) and the apparent affinity constant (KM) by over 50%, but exerted no effect on either Tm or KM of cycloleucine or glucose reabsorption. The relative selectivity of the nephrotoxic action of Ni and other metals is reviewed; it raises the question whether the acute effects observed are appropriately described as a Fanconi-like syndrome.