The objective of this experiment was to assess the renal function of ten healthy male adult dogs submitted to therapeutic doses of amphotericin B, whose use has been limited due to its high nephrotoxic potential, as well as to evaluate the more sensitive and early method to diagnose kidney lesions. The renal function was evaluated through daily urinalysis, fractioned excretion of sodium and potassium, serum concentration of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and urinary activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). It was concluded that amphotericin b provokes lesions in both proximal and distal tubules, inducing type I renal tubular acidosis and nephrogenic Diabetes insipidus in dogs. Renal function evaluation, preferably by serum creatinine, BUN and potassium dosage is recommended before each drug application. Urinalysis proved to diagnose kidney lesions in its earliest stage through a modification of the density parameters. Urinary GGT was not effective as an earliest diagnose kidney lesions caused by amphotericin B.
amphotericin B; kidney function; urinary gamma-glutamyltransferase; fractioned excretion; dogs
