The influence of selective thrombocytopenia on nephrotoxic nephritis.

Anticoagulation with agents that interfere with fibrin formation inhibit the development of the autologous phase of nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN). Platelet participation in the nephritic process has been suggested but not proved, therefore, the influence of selective thrombocytopenia on the autologous phase in rabbits was evaluated. NTN was produced with goat antirabbit glomerular basement membrane antiserum. Thrombocytopenia was induced with goat antirabbit platelet antiserum 24 hours prior to the onset of nephritis. Platelet accumulation within the nephritic kidney was quantitated using chromium labeled platelets. Thrombocytopenia has no inhibitory effect on the development of the autologous phase of NTN in rabbits. There was no platelet accumulation within the nephritic kidney in the presence of thrombocytopenia. Pharmacologic inhibition of platelet aggregation may be of no benefit in glomerulonephritis produced by a fixed antigen-antibody reaction within the glomerular capillary wall.