Editorial
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 21, 2008; 14(43): 6616-6621
Published online Nov 21, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.6616
Renal elimination of organic anions in cholestasis
Adriana Mónica Torres
Adriana Mónica Torres, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET, Suipacha 531, 2000, Rosario, Argentina
Author contributions: Torres AM contributed all to this work.
Supported by Grants from FONCyT (PICT 05-20201) and CONICET (PIP 5592)
Correspondence to: Adriana Mónica Torres, Professor of Pharmacology, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CONICET, Suipacha 531, 2000, Rosario, Argentina. admotorres@yahoo.com.ar
Telephone: +54-341-4373787 Fax: +54-341-4371992
Received: August 12, 2008
Revised: September 13, 2008
Accepted: September 20, 2008
Published online: November 21, 2008
Abstract

The disposition of most drugs is highly dependent on specialized transporters. OAT1 and OAT3 are two organic anion transporters expressed in the basolateral membrane of renal proximal tubule cells, identified as contributors to xenobiotic and endogenous organic anion secretion. It is well known that cholestasis may cause renal damage. Impairment of kidney function produces modifications in the renal elimination of drugs. Recent studies have demonstrated that the renal abundance of OAT1 and OAT3 plays an important role in the renal elimination of organic anions in the presence of extrahepatic cholestasis. Time elapsed after obstructive cholestasis has an important impact on the regulation of both types of organic anion transporters. The renal expression of OAT1 and OAT3 should be taken into account in order to improve pharmacotherapeutic efficacy and to prevent drug toxicity during the onset of this hepatic disease.

Keywords: Organic anions; P-aminohippurate; Furosemide; OAT1; OAT3; Extrahepatic cholestasis