Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP) induced acute renal failure (ARF): attempts at amelioration.

Nephrotoxicity is a dose limiting feature of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP) cancer chemotherapy. We have previously developed a model of DDP induced acute renal failure in the rat, which is characterized by non oliguric progressive azotemia. Protocols have been established in humans to prevent or diminish DDP associated renal alterations during the course of cancer chemotherapy. The present studies were designed to evaluate the effect of prior diuretic therapy, with furosemide, and enhanced solute diuresis, using dextrose and water as the sole source of drinking fluid, on DDP induced acute renal failure in the rat. As compared to water drinking controls neither the diuretic nor the enhancement of osmotic excretion effected DDP associated mortality. The courses of the acute renal failure observed in all three study groups were similar; however, there was a suggestion in the surviving animals that these maneuvers may have contributed to a more rapid return in renal function among rats not dying of DDP induced acute renal failure.