Effects of bumetanide on sodium transport of the isolated frog skin and on renal Na-K-ATPase.

The effects of bumetanide, a new potent diuretic, on net sodium transport of the isolated frog skin and on rat renal Na-K-ATPase were studied. A dose-related decrease in short-circuit current and potential difference with increased electrical resistance was observed when bumetanide was added to the corial side of the skin. Addition to the epithelial side resulted in enhanced net sodium transport with decreased electrical resistance. When applied to the corial side it abolished vasopressin- and aldosterone-stimulated transport. Present in the epithelial bath ouabain-inhibited transport was unaffected by this drug, while triamterene-induced inhibition of sodium transport was completely abolished. In vitro, no significant effects on Na-K-ATPase were noted. It is concluded that bumetanide shares properties of both furosemide and ethacrynic acid and excerts its effects on epithelial sodium transport by altering membrane permeability and possibly by inhibition of some step in the active transport mechanism for sodium.