Effects of ethacrynic acid on vascular resistance, metabolism, and electrolyte flux in the canine gracilis muscle.

Abstract

The effects of intra-arterial ethacrynic acid (EA) on vascular resistance, metabolism, and electrolyte flux was studied in the isolated denervated canine gracilis muscle perfused with a constant inflow of arterial blood. Skeletal muscle vascular resistance was markedly reduced from baseline by 25-min infusions of EA producing blood concentrations of 10−3 M but not at concentrations of 10−5 M. There were no consistent alterations in the uptake of glucose, production of lactate, or flux of potassium in the gracilis muscle during the drug infusions or 45 min postinfusion period. Venous osmolality did not change. However, the arterio venous difference for oxygen saturation across this skeletal muscle was significantly reduced by EA treatment suggesting that oxygen utilization had been inhibited. Thus, EA has a direct vasodilatory effect which is independent of measurable changes in gracilis muscle electrolyte flux or metabolism other than a possible reduction in oxygen uptake or utilization by this muscle.