Indomethacin enhancement of glycerol-induced acute renal failure in rabbits.

Seventy-three rabbits (2 to 3 kg in weight) were studied during a control period and after receiving 50% glycerol (G) or mercuric chloride (M) with or without indomethacin (I) (controls received the diluent used for I). Plasma creatinine, plasma renin activity, blood pressure, sodium and potassium concentrations, hematocrit value, urinary output, body wt and histologic appearance of the kidney were determined. I enhanced the incidence and severity of the acute renal failure produced by G but failed to aggravate that produced by M. Because the dose of I used in this study blocked the synthesis of renal prostaglandins in the rabbit, we suggest that renal prostaglandins protect against the development of G-induced acute renal failure (a circulatory type of renal failure) in this animal model. Furthermore, the failure of I to aggravate M-induced acute renal failure indicates that it is unlikely that I aggravates G-induced acute renal failure by a direct nephrotoxic effect. No evidence was found for other possible side actions of I being responsible for the observed aggravation.