Ornithine decarboxylase induction in mouse kidney as indicator of renal damage. Differential nephrotoxic effect of anticancer antifolate drugs.

High doses of folate and its quinazoline analogue with antitumour activity, N10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolic acid (CB 3717), caused severe renal damage in mice, leading in the case of folate to death. The mouse kidneys increased in weight, which was accompanied by time- and dose-dependent induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. In contrast, methotrexate (MTX) had negligible effect on mouse kidneys except when applied together with the non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug, indomethacin.