Diuretic Effects of a Uracil Derivative (Mictine) in Normal and Toxemic Pregnancies

¹ From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the University of California Medical School of Los Angeles, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Los Angeles County Harbor General Hospital, Los Angeles, California

The authors studied the diuretic effects of oral and intravenous Mictine in five patients with normal pregnancy and 10 patients with toxemia of pregnancy. Daily excretions of water, sodium, potassium, chloride, titratable acids, and ammonia were determined during oral administration of Mictine in control, treatment and recovery periods. Changes in plasma composition were also observed. Renal hemodynamics and excretion of electrolytes were studied before and after intravenous injections of 200 and 300 mg of Mictine. The results show that Mictine evoked a significant increase in the excretion of Na, Cl and water. The increase in the excretion of K was less marked. Plasma electrolytes as well as ph and CO₂ were not affected. The diuretic effects were more marked and more sustained in toxemia than in normal pregnancy. In both groups, the peak response occurred during the 2nd day of drug administration. Mictine probably acts by decreasing tubular reabsorption of electrolytes. Absolute values for electrolyte excretions were significantly less in toxemia than in normal pregnancy during all of the periods of study. Intravenous Mictine in doses up to 300 mg induced an increase in urine flow without any change in the excretion of Na, Cl, K, glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow.

Note:
with the technical assistance of M. Ross.