JOINT ADMINISTRATION OF FUROSEMIDE AND VERAPAMIL IN RATS - EFFECTS ONCALCIUM AND GLUCOSE-HOMEOSTASIS AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY

We have evaluated the metabolic effects in rats of joint administratio n of furosemide (15 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) and verapamil (7 mg kg(-1) day( -1)). Rats received the maximum recommended dosage rates for human the rapy over a 2-week period. At the end of this period, we evaluated eff ects of treatment on rates of intestinal absorption of glucose and cal cium by colorimetric methods. In a parallel experiment, we determined serum levels of glucose, calcium, lipids, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), a lbumin, creatinine, total proteins, total bilirubin and various enzyme s with an automatic analyser. The furosemide/verapamil treatment had n o effect on intestinal absorption of glucose or calcium, but caused a significant decrease in serum glucose levels. The combination treatmen t led to a statistically significant increase in BUN level, and a stat istically significant decrease in total bilirubin. None of the other s erum components differed significantly between the two groups.