Nephrotoxicity of ifosfamide in rats

Renal proximal tubule cell injury is an important side effect of the chemotherapeutic agent ifosfamide in humans. We investigated the effect of this medication on kidney function in rats. Animals received either 40 or 80 mg kg⁻¹ ifosfamide intraperitoneally daily for 3 days every 3 weeks for a total of four treatment courses. Ifosfamide‐treated rats had significantly lower body weight and hematocrit than sterile water‐treated control rats. Animals receiving 40 mg kg⁻¹ ifosfamide developed isolated phosphaturia after their fourth and final treatment course. Rats receiving 80 mg kg⁻¹ ifosfamide had low‐grade glucosuria, phosphaturia and proteinuria throughout the study. Urine flow rate, creatinine clearance, urinary sodium and potassium excretion and kidney glutathione and malondialdehyde content were not affected by ifosfamide at either dose. These findings indicate that ifosfamide produces abnormalities in rat renal function resembling subclinical Fanconi syndrome.