IMPAIRMENT OF INSULIN SECRETION DURING EXPERIMENTAL POTASSIUM DEPLETION IS NOT CORRECTED BY THE PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTHESIS INHIBITOR, INDOMETHACIN

Abstract

The effect of potassium depletion on glucose tolerance, plasma insulin and plasma glucagon was studied in six normal young female subjects. Negative potassium balance was induced by a diet low in potassium, together with frusemide (40 mg/day), for 3 days. Studies were performed during a period of potassium depletion and were repeated during potassium depletion in five subjects taking indomethacin (150 mg/day), an inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis. Mean plasma potassium concentration was reduced from 4·2 ± 0·1 mmol/l to 3·3 ± 0·1 mmol/l, and was 3·2 ± 0·1 mmol/l during administration of indomethacin. Potassium depletion had no significant effect on the levels of plasma glucose, either f..