Effect of furosemide on insulin and glucagon responses to arginine in normal subjects.

This study aimed at evaluating the influence of furosemide upon insulin and glucagon responses to arginine in healthy subjects. For this purpose, six normal subjects received two consecutive arginine pulses (3 g), 60 min apart, before and after the administration of furosemide (40 mg, IV). The acute insulin response (mean change from 3-10 min) to the second arginine pulse was significantly inhibited by furosemide (mean increase: 14.8 +/- 3.0 microU/ml versus 11.7 +/- 2.5 microU/ml, p < 0.01). By contrast, the acute glucagon response was significantly increased (mean increase: 77 +/- 18 pg/ml versus 105 +/- 21 pg/ml, p < 0.01). No significant changes in plasma glucose levels occurred. In control experiments, in which saline rather than furosemide was administered, the acute insulin and glucagon response to the first arginine pulse did not differ from that observed with the second pulse. The effect of furosemide on insulin and glucagon secretion might be mediated through enhanced release of endogenous prostaglandin E.