Calcium blockers enhance cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

To examine the effects of calcium blockers on nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin, the renal function and renal accumulation of Pt in Sprague-Dawley rats given 6.5 mg/kg i.v. cisplatin simultaneously with several doses of verapamil or nicardipine were evaluated. BUN, serum creatinine and kidney Pt concentrations in rats given more than 5.0 mg/kg of verapamil were significantly higher than those of the control animals injected with 6.5 mg/kg i.v. cisplatin alone, and the increase of each value was dependent upon the dose of verapamil. BUN, creatinine and kidney Pt in rats injected with more than 0.5 mg/kg i.p. nicardipine were also significantly higher than those of the controls. Calcium blockers enhanced the renal accumulation of Pt and the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin.