ATTENUATION BY SPIRONOLACTONE OF THE MAGNESIURIC EFFECT OF ACUTE FRUSEMIDE ADMINISTRATION IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER-CIRRHOSIS AND ASCITES

The effect of spironolactone on renal magnesium excretion under both b asal conditions and conditions of frusemide-induced diuresis was studi ed in 11 control subjects with normal hepatic and renal function and i n 12 patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites. In the control group, oral administration of spironolactone (200 mg daily for 5 days) result ed in a significant decrease in the mean renal excretion of both magne sium and potassium. In the cirrhotic patients, spironolactone did not significantly change the mean renal excretion of magnesium or potassiu m, but it produced a significant reduction in the frusemide-induced in crease in the renal excretion of both potassium and magnesium. The stu dy suggests that spironolactone decreases magnesium excretion in norma l subjects and antagonizes the magnesiuric effect of frusemide in pati ents with liver cirrhosis and secondary aldosteronism.