Abstract
Histopathological examinations were performed in attempting to explore the mechanisms of the toxic effect of a large amounts of exogenous adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate sodium salt in mice previously reported by us : death preceded by ataxia which rapidly developed appearing about 20 hr after the injection of high doses of Na cyclic AMP. Degenerations of tubular epithelium of the kidney could be noticed as early as 1-2 hr after the injection of 330 and 660 mg/kg. When the ataxia progressed, the kidney showed extensive degeneration and necrosis of the tubular epithelium, while changes of the glomerulus were minimal. A remarkable increase in serum urea nitrogen was observed. Serum Ca level was decreased and serum Mg level was increased. Serum cyclic AMP level returned to normal range about 4 hr after the administration. A renal failure was suggested to be the main cause of death, and the ataxia, a typical intoxication symptom, was assumed to be a secondary consequence of this failure. The pathogenesis of the renal degeneration is discussed.
