General toxic and organotropic side-effects of cephalothin in acute and chronic experiments
Berezhinskaia, V.V.; Solov'ev, V.N.; Berezina, E.K.; Dolgova, G.V.; Kovalenko, L.P.
Antibiotiki 26(1): 44-50
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-5637 PMID: 7212682 Document Number: 178634
The effect of cephalothin on liver and renal functions, peripheral blood, growth and development of young animals, blood circulation and respiration, elements of CNS and peripheral nervous system, and smooth muscles was studied in acute and chronic experiments. The allergenic properties of the drug were also investigated. Cephalothin had low toxicity; LD50 on i.v. administration to albino mice was 5253 mg/kg. When cephalothin was administered i.m. to rats for 1 mo. in doses of 250 or 500 mg/kg equivalent with respect to body surface 3 or 6 g drug/day for humans, no significant shifts in liver or renal functions, or peripheral blood were observed. Histological examination of the internal organs of rats treated with these doses of cephalothin did not reveal any changes connected with drug toxicity. At 1000 mg/kg (.apprx. 2 g drug/day for humans) cephalothin induced a slightly pronounced increase in the content of urea N and bilirubin in the blood. Histological examination revealed that 50% of the animals treated with such doses had changes characterized by an enlargement of the lumens of the kidney, convoluted tubules with thickened epithelium and the presence of protein and cylinders. The changes were of a transitory character and disappeared 2 wk after discontinuation of drug. Cephalothin had no unfavorable effect on growth and development of young animals. No effect of the drug on blood circulation and respiration, on the function of the CNS and peripheral nervous system, and smoot muscles was observed. Cephalothin was characterized by allergenic properties which were less pronounced than those of benzylpenicillin.