Diuretic and natriuretic effects of nifedipine in healthy persons

1. We have studied the diuretic and natriuretic effects and the tubular site of action of nifedipine using free water clearance (CH2O) and lithium clearance. 2. We have compared the effects of nifedipine (10 mg p.o.) with those of placebo and of frusemide (40 mg p.o.) in seven healthy volunteers during maximal water diuresis. 3. Compared with placebo, nifedipine caused a significant rise in urinary flow rate and CH2O, paralleled by significant increases in fractional excretion of sodium and lithium. The rise in sodium excretion was not accompanied by an increase in potassium excretion. 4. Frusemide caused increases in sodium and lithium excretion, comparable with the effects seen after nifedipine. CH2O did not change however. 5. Our study demonstrates that nifedipine has a clear diuretic and natriuretic effect in healthy volunteers, which is predominantly established by interference with proximal tubular sodium reabsorption. Lithium clearance did not allow us to differentiate between nifedipine and frusemide effects, thus questioning the reliability of lithium as a marker of proximal tubular sodium reabsorption.