Effect of hippurate on glucose utilization in rat kidney cortex slices

Hippurate action on glucose utilization was evaluated in rat kidney cortex slices. Studies have shown the following. (1) Hippurate inhibits markedly basal as well as insulin-stimulated glucose utilization and basal gluconeogenesis. (2) Ca deficiency and specific Ca channel blockers diltiazem and isradipine abolish the hippurate inhibition of glucose utilization. (3) K+ channel blockers, i.e. the increased K+ concentration in incubation medium, procaine and sulfonylurea drugs also abolish the hippurate inhibition of glucose utilization. It is concluded that hippurate and benzoate operate through the ATP-dependent K+ channel.