THE RENAL HANDLING OF -METHYLTYROSINE

¹ Department of Pharmacology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan

In order to gain some insight into the nature of -methyltyrosine (-MT)-induced kidney damage, the renal handling of this amino acid in rats and dogs was examined. The renal clearance of -MT was less than inulin clearance even though plasma binding of -MT was minimal, independent of plasma concentration of -MT, positively related to urine volume, independent of urine pH and not altered by probenecid, tryptophan or histidine. This evidence suggests that the predominant factors involved in the renal handling of -MT are filtration and passive reabsorption.