We have evaluated the short-term effects of amiloride on insulin action in vivo, since amiloride is known to impair insulin action in vitro.
Seven healthy subjects were treated according to a randomized, double-blind, cross-over protocol. The treatment periods were 3 days each with amiloride 15 mg daily and placebo. Insulin action on glucose turnover was assessed directly after each treatment period with the hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic glucose clamp technique.
At the two insulin concentrations studied (-30 mU. 1 -] and -200 mU. 1-1), the glucose infusion rate required to maintain constant euglycaemia did not differ after either amiloride or placebo. The rates of glucose production and utilization were also similar, whereas the so-called insulin sensitivity index at the lower insulin concentration was significantly reduced (by about 15%) after amiloride. Moreover, amiloride produced significantly higher fasting insulin and C-peptide concentrations, whereas fasting glucose and NEFA concentrations were unaltered.
In conclusion, these data suggest that short-term amiloride slightly impairs insulin sensitivity with respect to glucose uptake. However, overall glucose homoeostasis does not appear to be affected, probably due to a compensatory rise in plasma insulin.