Nephrotoxic Potential of Putative 3,5-Dichloroaniline (3,5-DCA) Metabolites and Biotransformation of 3,5-DCA in Isolated Kidney Cells from Fischer 344 Rats

The current study was designed to explore the in vitro nephrotoxic potential of four 3,5-dichloroaniline (3,5-DCA) metabolites (3,5-dichloroacetanilide, 3,5-DCAA; 3,5-dichlorophenylhydroxylamine, 3,5-DCPHA; 2-amino-4,6-dichlorophenol, 2-A-4,6-DCP; 3,5-dichloronitrobenzene, 3,5-DCNB) and to determine the renal metabolism of 3,5-DCA in vitro. In cytotoxicity testing, isolated kidney cells (IKC) from male Fischer 344 rats (~4 million/mL, 3 mL) were exposed to a metabolite (0–1.5 mM; up to 90 min) or vehicle. Of these metabolites, 3,5-DCPHA was the most potent nephrotoxicant, with 3,5-DCNB intermediate in nephrotoxic potential. 2-A-4,6-DCP and 3,5-DCAA were not cytotoxic. In separate experiments, 3,5-DCNB cytotoxicity was reduced by pretreating IKC with antioxidants and cytochrome P450, flavin monooxygenase and peroxidase inhibitors, while 3,5-DCPHA cytotoxicity was attenuated by two nucleophilic antioxidants (glutathione and N-acetyl-L-cysteine). Incubation of IKC with 3,5-DCA (0.5–1.0 mM, 90 min) produced only 3,5-DCAA and 3,5-DCNB as detectable metabolites. These data suggest that 3,5-DCNB and 3,5-DCPHA are potential nephrotoxic metabolites and may contribute to 3,5-DCA induced nephrotoxicity in vivo. In addition, the kidney can bioactivate 3,5-DCNB to toxic metabolites, and 3,5-DCPHA appears to generate reactive metabolites to contribute to 3,5-DCA nephrotoxicity. In vitro, N-oxidation of 3,5-DCA appears to be the primary mechanism of bioactivation of 3,5-DCA to nephrotoxic metabolites.