FUROSEMIDE DECREASES THE SENSITIVITY OF GLUCOSE-TRANSPORT TO INSULIN IN SKELETAL-MUSCLE IN-VITRO

The effects of the diuretic furosemide on the sensitivity of glucose d isposal to insulin were investigated in rat soleus muscle in vitro. At basal levels of insulin, the rates of 3-O-methylglucose transport, 2- deoxyglucose phosphorylation and lactate formation were not affected s ignificantly by furosemide (0.5mmol/l). However, furosemide significan tly decreased these rates at physiological and maximal levels of insul in. The contents of 2-deoxyglucose and glucose 6-phosphate in the pres ence of furosemide were not significantly different from those in cont rol muscles at all levels of insulin studied. It is concluded that fur osemide decreases the sensitivity of glucose utilization to insulin in skeletal muscle by directly inhibiting the glucose transport process.