The nephrotoxic action of aristolochic acid (AA) was investigated in female Wistar rats given single doses of 10, 50 or 100 mg/kg by gastric tube. Renal lesions developed within 3 days, the effect being dose-dependent. Histologically, there was evidence of necrosis of the epithelium of the renal tubules, and functionally, there were rises in plasma creatinine and urea together with increases in urinary glucose, protein, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, gammaglutamyl transferase and malate dehydrogenase. Taking AA as an example, the aim of the present study was to consider the suitability of this model, based on a combination of histology and laboratory investigations, as a short-term test for the detection of nephrotoxic agents.