Objective To investigate the effects of L\|cysteine and DL\|buthionine\|(S,R)\|sulfoximine (BSO) on Cisplatin induced toxicity
to
renal tubular epithelial cells isolated from monkeys and rats.Methods Renal tubular epithelial cells were isolated from monkeys and rats and then inoculated into 96 well plates, after 24 hours' preincubation, a series of concentration of Cisplatin, in the presence and absence of L\|cysteine, precursor of GSH synthesis, or BSO, inhibitor of GSH synthesis, were added and coincubated, MTT assays were performed to test cell viability at 8,24 or 48 hours after coincubation. Results Cisplatin has time and concentration\|dependent cytotoxicity. The concentrations of Cisplatin that inhibited 50% cell growth (IC 50 ) of rat renal tubular epithelial cells at 8,24 and 48 hours were \{1 105 12\} μmol/L,513 25 μmol/L and 71 24 μmol/L,respectively, and IC 50 of Cisplatin to monkey renal tubular epithelial cells was \{3 026 00\} μmol/L,\{1 238 35\} μmol/L and 664 44 μmol/L,respectively; BSO made IC 50 of Cisplatin to rat renal cells lower down to 66 00 μmol/L,21 43 μmol/L and 7 23 μmol/L,respectively, and IC 50 of Cisplatin to monkey renal cells was 480 10 μmol/L,108 61 μmol/L and 31 43 μmol/L, respectively; while L\|cysteine made IC 50 of Cisplatin increase up to more than 5 000 μmol/L. Conclusion Cisplatin is dramatically toxic to renal tubular epithelial cells from monkeys and rats, but rat cells are more sensitive to cisplatin than monkey cells; BSO can enhance Cisplatin\|induced cytotoxicity, while L\|cysteine can protect Cisplatin\|induced cytotoxicity. It is possible that GSH can protect Cisplatin\|induced toxicity to renal tubular epithelial cells with species\|dependent difference.