EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF DIURETICS IN THE RAT
The diuretic response of the male and the female rat to aminophylline has been studied when these animals were pretreated with various concentrations of sodium chloride solution. A linear log dose – response curve was obtained over the dose range employed with male rats pretreated with 0.45% and 2% saline. Male rats exhibited a diuresis with 4% saline which was not increased by aminophylline. Female rats showed diuresis but the responses were more variable for almost all combinations of electrolyte load and xanthine dose. When they were pretreated with 0.45% and 2% saline, aminophylline caused some additional production of urine but this was much less regular than that observed with males. The variation in response to aminophylline after 4% saline was very marked but the trend suggested that the xanthine had a diuretic effect at the high dose. The diuretic responses to a xanthine, a mercurial, and a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor type of diuretic were compared in the male rat. Peak responses were smallest after the mercurial diuretic and greatest with the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.