A Histochemical Approach to the Mechanism of Action of Cisplatin and Its Analogues

The effects of cisplatin (CDDP), a potent anti-cancer agent, and its various analogues were analyzed for any biochemical changes involving Ca2+ and lysosomal and membrane-associated transport enzymes in rat kidney, liver, serum, urine, tissue homogenates, and isolated mitochondria. Correlation was made with any morphological changes observed by light and electron microscopy to gain an insight into the mechanism of action of various platinum coordination complexes. CDDP in its hydrolyzed state under conditions of low chloride ion concentrations causes uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, calcium efflux from the mitochondria, inhibits ATP synthesis, lowers membrane-associated calcium and various membrane transport enzymes, and induces an increase in the number of lysosomes. Enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase are stripped from the brush borders of the proximal tubule cells and are discharged in the urine. However, daily IV injections of calcium (1.1 ml of 1.3% CaCl2) supplementation protect the membrane-associated enzymes from cisplatin action. Carboplatin (CBDCA), an analogue of CDDP and the least nephrotoxic of all its analogues, shows little effect on the membrane-associated transport enzymes. Therefore, cisplatin and its various analogues seem to affect the membrane transport enzymes to varying degrees with related nephrotoxicity. Calcium supplementation seems to protect these enzymes and preserve kidney function.