Serum selenium levels in diuretic-treated hypertensives: a double-blind trial of piretanide against hydrochlorothiazide plus amiloride.

In a double-blind parallel group study carried out on 47 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension, the effects of 6 mg piretanide once or twice daily on serum selenium levels were compared with 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide plus 5 mg amiloride before treatment and after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment. Serum levels of the trace element, selenium, over a treatment period of 12 weeks remained unchanged in all three treatment groups, indicating that the selenium homeostasis is not disturbed during a treatment period of three months with either piretanide or a potassium sparer/thiazide-diuretic combination.

Serum trace-element levels in piretanide-treated hypertensives: a double-blind trial against hydrochlorothiazide plus amiloride.

A double-blind parallel group study was carried out in patients with mild to moderate hypertension to assess the effects of 6 mg piretanide once or twice daily, in comparison to 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide plus 5 mg amiloride once daily, on serum trace-element levels over a period of three months. The results showed that for most of the trace elements investigated (zinc, iron, copper, manganese and cobalt) no relevant changes were seen. Only serum iron values (medians) showed a slight drop (p less than 0.05) with 6 mg piretanide twice daily. The results indicate that a three-months' therapy with piretanide or with a thiazide-potassium sparer diuretic combination is safe without producing any disturbances in the serum levels of trace elements.

Organ distribution of aluminium in uremic rats: influence of parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Investigations were performed in order to see whether or not the application of parathyroid hormone or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, or both might influence the organ distribution of orally and parentally administered aluminium in control and uremic rats. The data show that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, affects the organ uptake in a different way than parathyroid hormone. Whereas parathyroid hormone increased the aluminium concentration in the liver, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhanced the aluminium uptake in the heart and the muscle, on the other hand, simultaneous application of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and parathyroid hormone decreased the aluminium content of the bone, liver and brain.

Method of collecting urine and comparative investigation of quantities excreted by cats and dogs after administration of furosemide.

A method is described for precise investigation of diuresis and saluresis in cats, using trained animals in a special diuresis apparatus. Furosemide given intramuscularly (IM) to cats at the dose level of 10 mg/kg produced slight untoward reactions of short duration. Therefore, this dose lies at the upper limit of tolerance. Saluretic and diuretic effect of 5 different doses of furosemide was investigated in 4 cats and 20 dogs. A dose-dependent increase in diuresis was achieved in cats given doses of furosemide ranging from 1.25 to 10 mg/kg. In the dog, the range of effectiveness was broader. In both species, there was a parallel increase in the excretion of sodium and chloride ions. The excretion of potassium ions in the cat remained unaffected, whereas in the dog, there was a dose-dependent increase in potassium ion excretion, which became especially distinct when large doses were given. A direct comparison of total saluretic and diuretic values in the dog and cat after IM administration of furosemide was not possible, since the calculated straight lines had different slopes, and their points of intersection lay outside the scope of this study. A difference can be assumed to exist between dog and cat in the mode of action of diuresis and saluresis after administration of furosemide.