The nephrotoxicity of rats caused by dibekacin (3', 4'-dideoxykanamycin B) or kanamycin, with or without dextran was effectively reduced by D-glucaro-δ-Iactam potassium salt, as evidenced by lower levels of blood urea nitrogen and kidney edema rate, better excretion of antibiotics, and less morphological damage. Protection was dosage related, and potentiated with increasing doses, but only when the two drugs were given simultaneously. Among three alkali-metal salts examined, the potassium salt was almost equal to the lithium salt, but surpassed the sodium salt in effectiveness.
Inorganic salts, in particular potassium chloride were found to be effective for the protection of normal rats, but their effect decreased for the dehydrated rats, especially in the presence of dextran.