The effect of diuretics on extrarenal potassium tolerance

A potassium loading study was performed in acutely nephrectomized rats to determine the extrarenal effects of diuretics on potassium tolerance. Four diuretics were evaluated: hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, bumetanide, and spironolactone. Following an intravenous potassium load (0.17 mEq/100 g over one hour), plasma potassium concentration rose by 2.69 +/- 0.26 to 3.67 +/- 0.20 mEq/L in all groups. There was no difference in the observed increment in plasma potassium concentration between animals receiving diuretics and control animals. These results demonstrate that, at the doses used, diuretics do not impair extrarenal potassium disposal in the rat.