Differential effect of aminoglycoside treatment on glomerular filtration and renal reabsorption of lysozyme in rats.

The aminoglycosides gentamicin, netilmicin and tobramycin were each administered (30 mg/kg/day) to male Wistar rats for 21 days. At 7, 14 and 21 days rats were anesthetized and renal clearances of inulin and egg-white lysozyme were quantified. Plasma concentration of lysozyme varied between 20 and 120 mg/liter in control and aminoglycoside treated rats. Inulin clearance (GFR) averaged 0.96 ml/min/kidney in control rats. Whereas GFR decreased to an average value of 0.47 ml/min/kidney in gentamicin treated rats, GFR did not fall in tobramycin treated rats, averaging 0.97 ml/min/kidney over the entire treatment period. In netilmicin rats GFR declined to 0.53 ml/min/kidney after 7 days of treatment and then increased to 0.78 ml/min/kidney after 14 days and 21 days of treatment. Reabsorption of lysozyme averaged about 94% of the filtered load in control rats. Reabsorption of lysozyme decreased in gentamicin treated rats to about 58% after 7 days and 14 days of treatment and increased to 79% after 21 days of treatment. After tobramycin reabsorption of lysozyme decreased to about 67% after 7 days of treatment and increased to 85% after 14 days and 21 days of treatment. Reabsorption of lysozyme remained unchanged when compared to controls over the entire treatment period in netilmicin treated rats. Thus, gentamicin reduced both GFR and renal reabsorption of lysozyme. Netilmicin reduced GFR somewhat without altering lysozyme reabsorption whereas tobramycin compromised lysozyme reabsorption without altering GFR. These differences might suggest differences in site(s) of action of various aminoglycosides.