Nephrotoxic potential of laboratory cultures of freshwater cyanobacterium (blue-green al ga) Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 (Pasteur Institute) was assessed in male rats. The ani mals were injected intraperitoneally with 0. 5, 1. 0 and 2. 0 LD50 doses of lyophilized cell ex tract. Elevated plasma urea and creatinine levels were accompanied by decrease in protein and albumin levels, followed by hematuria, proteinuria and bilirubinuria. Also decrease in kidney lactate dehydrogenase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase indicated possible nephrotoxic po tential of the cyanobacteria. The extract also produced various hematological changes associat ed with stagnant type of hypoxia. High perfomance liquid chromatography of the culture I dentified the active principle (toxin) as Microcystin-LR Nephrotoxic potential of laboratory cultures of freshwater cyanobacterium (blue-green al ga) Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 (Pasteur Institute) was assessed in male rats. The ani mals were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5, 1.0 and 2. 0 LD50 doses of lyophilized cell ex tract. Elevated plasma urea and creatinine levels were accompanied by decrease in protein and albumin levels, followed by hematuria, proteinuria and bilirubinuria. Also decreased in kidney lactate dehydrogenase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase indicated possible nephrotoxic po tential of the cyanobacteria. The extract also produced various hematological changes associat ed with stagnant type of hypoxia. High perfomance liquid chromatography of the culture I dentified the active principle (toxin) as Microcystin-LR