Effect of glycine on retroperitoneal and intraperitoneal organs in the rat model.

Twenty Sprague Dawley rats were administered various doses of 1.5% amino acetic acid (glycine), lactated Ringer's, and water, both intravenously and retroperitoneally, in an attempt to recreate the post-transurethral resection syndrome in a rat model. The kidneys, liver, and pancreas were harvested 6 hours after exposure and examined pathologically. Water and lactated Ringer's had no histologic effect on these organs. Glycine was found to have a toxic effect on the kidneys and liver and this effect was dose related. Based on these results, it is postulated that glycine toxicity may play a significant role as a causative factor in producing the post-transurethral resection syndrome.