Sorbitol as a Diuretic

Abstract

The hexahydric alcohol, sorbitol, has recently become available in quantities at a low price. It is non-toxic, has enormous water binding capacity, is rapidly excreted by the kidneys after intravenous injection and has 1.88 times the osmotic pressure of the same percentage sucrose solution. Its solutions are less viscous and more easily injected than those of sucrose and are entirely stable to heat sterilization. It apparently possesses all of the properties desirable in a physical diuretic.

A study of the diuretic action of a 50% sorbitol solution (prepared from the syrup supplied by Atlas Powder Company) as compared with that of a 50% sucrose solution has been made in 3 dogs. The dogs were placed under nembutal anesthesia and kymographic records made of arterial pressure, respiration, and urine flow from a catheter placed in the bladder. Urine volumes were measured. Fig. 1 shows the rates of urine excretion (volume per 15-minute period) obtained after intravenous injection of 50 ml. of 50% solutions of sucrose and sorbitol. The curves are numbered in the order of injection. When injected at the rate of 50 ml. in 2 minutes (38°C.) neither sucrose nor sorbitol caused appreciable changes in blood pressure or respiration. The curves indicate sorbitol to be a much more efficient diuretic in dogs than sucrose.

In the case of Dog 1, sorbitol was injected first (Curve 1), followed by sucrose (Curve 2), and then a second injection of sorbitol was given. No replacement of body fluids during the experiment excepting the water given with the solutions injected. Curve 3 shows that sorbitol had a much more powerful diuretic action than sucrose even after the dehydration produced by the previous injections.