Effect of glucose and insulin infusion on glucose, sodium and potassium levels in uremic patients

ABSTRACT

The effect of infusion of 500 cc. glucose solution [25%] with 30 IU insulin [Leo neutral, 20 IU/ml] and 500 cc glucose solution [5%] with 6 IU insulin was studied on ten chronic renal failure patients. Four samples were taken from each patient, during fasting, one hour after the start of infusion, at the end of infusion [2nd hour sample] then one hour after stopping the infusion [3rd hour sample]. Each sample was tested for plasma glucose, serum potassium and sodium concentrations. The results showed that infusion of both high and low dose glucose solution plus insulin had the ability to lower the blood potassium concentration constantly and persistently over the infusion time [2 hours]. Serum Potassium started to rise again one hour after stopping the infusion. Serum sodium was not altered in all samples. Blood glucose rose markedly with 25% glucose solution infusion, while it was not significantly changed with 5% glucose solution. So, the use of 5% glucose solution with 6 IU insulin infusion in the treatment of hyperkalaemia in cases of chronic renal failure is recommended