Demonstration of direct toxicity of phenol on kidney.

The effect of phenol on the rat kidney was investigated by means of an arterial infusion designed to deliver isotonic phenol solutions directly to the renal circulation. Cortical lesions, consisting primarily of vacuolization and dilation of proximal tubules and sloughing of the apical cytoplasm, increased in severity with increasing phenol dose. Specific staining techniques allowed the detection of effects on the brush borders and basement membranes of tubules. Evidence was also offered for hemolysis products not reaching the proximal tubules. These findings are consistent with a direct effect of phenol on the kidney.