Effect of acute potassium depletion and thiazide treatment on blood glucose in the normal rat.

The effect of potassium depletion and a thiazide diuretic on glucose metabolism was investigated in male rats. Potassium depletion was induced by potassium-deficient diet and ion-exchange resin by stomach tube for 5 days. Plasma and muscle potassium was reduced by 30% (P less than 0.001), and fasting blood glucose concentration was elevated by 20% (P greater than 0.025) by potassium depletion. Hydroflumethiazide 10 mg/kg given orally once daily for 8 days produced no further alteration in any parameter. We conclude that acute potassium depletion in the rat may increase fasting blood glucose concentration, whereas addition of short-term thiazide treatment does not seem to potentiate this effect.