Studies on the mechanism of the hyperglycemic action of hydrochlorothiazide

ABSTRACT

To investigate the mechanism of hydrochlorothiazide induced hyperglycemia and to determine the reversibility of this hyperglycemic action, the effects of hydrochlorothiazide [5 and 10 mg/kg body weight] alone or with potassium supplementation [1.8 mg potassium bicarbonate / kg body weight] on serum glucose, serum insulin, liver glycogen and liver glucose-6-phosphatase activity were' studied. Also, potassium concentration in serum and urine was evaluated. Comparison of obtained data revealed the occurrence of a significant increase in serum glucose concentration, a significant decrease in serum insulin and in liver glycogen and a non significant increase in glucose-6-phosphatase activity at the two different doses of the drug. Moreover, serum potassium level showed significant decrease at the two doses with significant increase of this ion in the urine at dose of 10 mg. Following potassium supplementation, these metabolic disturbances seemed to be improved. A reduction in serum glucose and elevations in both serum insulin and liver glycogen were observed. The Liver glucose -6-phosphatase tended to decrease and the potassium concentration in both serum and urine tended to increase. These changes reached the significant level with liver glycogen and potassium concentration in the serum and urine at the two different doses and with serum glucose and insulin in addition to liver glucose -6- phosphatase activity at the 5 mg dose