Ethacrynic Acid pathway


Ethacrynic acid, a loop diuretic, inhibits water reabsorption in the nephron by blocking the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter (NKCC2) in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. This is achieved through competitive inhibition at the chloride binding site on the cotransporter, thus preventing the transport of sodium from the lumen of the loop of Henle into the basolateral interstitium. Consequently, the lumen becomes more hypertonic while the interstitium becomes less hypertonic, which in turn diminishes the osmotic gradient for water reabsorption throughout the nephron. Because the thick ascending limb is responsible for 25% of sodium reabsorption in the nephron, ethacrynic acid is a very potent diuretic.

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References

  1. Brater, D.C. (2000). Pharmacology of diuretics. American Journal of Medical Sciences, 319(1), 38-50. PMID: 10653443
  2. Davies, D.L., & Wilson, G.M. (1975). Diuretics: mechanism of action and clinical application. Drugs, 9(3), 178-226. PMID: 1092541
  3. Edecrin/Sodium edecrin. (2009). [Electronic version]. e-CPS. Retrieved July 4, 2009.