Influence of propagermanium (SK-818) on chemically induced renal lesions in rats.

A histopathological study was performed to examine the influence of propagermanium and germanium dioxide (GeO2) on chemically induced renal lesions in rats. Animals were treated with adriamycin or mercuric chloride to induce glomerular or proximal tubular damage, and then given drinking water containing propagermanium (480 or 2,400 ppm solution) or GeO2 (300 or 1,500 ppm solution: equivalent to propagermanium in terms of germanium contents). The distal tubular epithelium after 8 weeks dosage with the 1,500 ppm solution of GeO2 was characterized by vacuolization and deposits of PAS-positive material not only in adriamycin-treated rats, but also in normal rats. In contrast, propagermanium administration was not associated with any alternation in the changes induced by adriamycin or mercuric chloride. We previously clarified that propagermanium had no biochemical influence on the renal function of these renal injured rats. The histological demonstration that this compound does not exert renal toxicity, even when given at a high dosage to renal injured rats, further indicates that it would not exacerbate renal dysfunction already present. This confirms that propagermanium may be a safe compound for use in individuals with compromised kidneys.