Evidence for diabetogenic action of bumetanide in mice.

The effect of bumetanide on carbohydrate metabolism was studied in mice. Intraperitoneal injection of 50 or 100 mg bumetanide/kg body weight resulted in an acute and transient hyperglycaemia. Pretreatment with 240 mg probenecid/kg body weight reduced the diuretic effect but potentiated the hyperglycaemic effect of bumetanide (50 mg/kg body weight). The glucose tolerance was impaired, and there was an elevated serum glucose and glucose/insulin ratio 2 h after a single injection of bumetanide (100 mg/kg body weight). It is suggested that bumetanide has an acute effect on carbohydrate metabolism in mice that is not secondary to diuresis and that the reduced glucose tolerance may, at least in part, be due to a reduced capacity to secrete insulin.