Acute and chronic diuretic-induced alterations in urinary sodium and calcium excretion in the conscious rat.

The acute and chronic (5-day) effects of three low-ceiling diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide or xipamide) and two high-ceiling diuretics (furosemide or muzolimine) on urinary volume and electrolyte excretion were examined in the saline-loaded conscious rat. The three low-ceiling agents produced qualitatively similar alterations in both acute and chronic volume and electrolyte excretion patterns. Each of these agents produced an acute disassociation between urinary sodium and calcium excretion and hypocalciuria after chronic administration. It is suggested that indapamide and xipamide, like hydrochlorothiazide, inhibit sodium but not calcium reabsorption in the distal nephron. Acute as well as chronic treatment with either furosemide or muzolimine produced dose-dependent increases in urinary volume and electrolyte excretion. A generally parallel response was observed on sodium and calcium excretion with these agents. It is suggested that muzolimine, like furosemide, inhibits both sodium and calcium reabsorption in the ascending limb of Henle's loop.