Renal calcium and magnesium handling in experimental diabetes mellitus in the rat

Metabolic and renal clearance techniques were used to examine kidney function in conscious and anesthetised streptozotocin diabetic rats. All diabetics showed an enhanced calcium and magnesium excretion compared to controls. However, the renal handling of these ions in relation to other electrolytes varied with different experiments. In non-infused conscious rats, the excretion of all ions was higher in diabetics, but the increased output of Ca2+ and Mg2+ was far greater than that of other electrolytes. In infused anesthetised diabetics only the outputs of Ca2+ and Mg2+ were significantly raised. This resulted from a significant reduction in the tubular reabsorption of both ions (% Ca2+ reabsorption: Controls 97.0 +/- 0.5; Diabetics 86.1 +/- 2.1; p less than 0.001). Insulin treatment reversed these changes. Major differences therefore exist in the renal handling of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in control and diabetic kidneys. Such differences do not simply parallel changes in the handling of other ions, and thus represent specific Ca2+ and Mg2+ lesions. Anesthetised infused diabetic rats also showed a reduced glomerular filtration rate and urine output compared to controls. Such differences may relate to an altered fluid balance in the two groups, different responses to surgery and anesthesia, or the degree of hyperglycemia in diabetic animals.