Tetramine dichloro-palladium subcellular localization in the kidney: electron microprobe study.

Palladium salt has been used for some time in experimental therapy protocols; with this in mind, we carried out a study of the effect of tetramine dichloro-palladium (soluble salt) upon kidney cells. Using an electron microprobe, we were able to detect the presence of palladium associated with sulfur and iron in the lysosomes of the proximal tubule cells. Our results were compared with those obtained using Cis-diaminedichloro-platinum (Cis-DDP), an anti-cancer drug used in the treatment of diverse tumors. The mechanism of intralysosomal concentration of palladium as a non soluble salt associated with sulfur appeared to be related to local sulfatase activity. Finally, iron concentration appeared to be related to the inhibition process of erythropoiesis.