Furosemide-Like Natriuretic Actions of Genistein Without Effects on Magnesiuresis

Loop-diuretics, as furosemide, increase magnesiuresis; prolonged treatment with these drugs may cause magnesium deficiency[l]. Magnesium renal reabsorption depends on the work of Na-K-Cl cotransport, which is inhibited by loop diuretics. Magnesium renal reabsorption is modulated also by other factors including aldosterone, parathormone and calcemia. Recently, we reported that isoflavonoids, natural compounds with potential benefits in cancer, cardiovascular diseases or osteoporosis[2] inhibited Na-K-Cl cotransport with a potency only 2–3 times lesser than that of furosemide[3]. Present work was addressed to investigate if genistein, an isoflavonoid, has a magnesiuretic effect like furosemide.