[Maltose as a substrate for inducing osmotic diuresis (author's transl)]

10 healthy men received an i.v. infusion of maltose at a dosage of 1.5 g/kg/h over a period of 1 h. No clinical side effects were observed. Total protein and albumin showed a significant drop. The glucose level remained constant. The concentration of maltose rose up to 495 +/- 77 mg/100 ml. The osmo-diuretic action of the solution was proven by a renal excretion of 289 +/- 57 ml water/h, 14.6 g maltose/h and 3.9 g glucose/h. The total carbohydrate elimination was 61.8 +/- 9.1 g/8 h, (44.5 +/- 13.5 maltose and 15.7 [+8.1--21,2] glucose). The specific action of maltose is an induction of glucosuria without hyperglycemia.