Mannitol is an Osmotic Diuretic and renal diagnostic aid related to sorbitol. It has little significant energy value as it is largely eliminated from the body before any metabolism can take place. Mannitol can be used to treat oliguria associated with kidney failure or other manifestations of inadequate renal function. Furthermore, Mannitol can also be used to determine glomerular filtration rate. Moreover, Mannitol is commonly used as a research tool in cell biological studies. Mannitol is a naturally existing alcohol, commonly found in fruits and vegetables. Mannitol is freely filtered by the glomerulus and poorly reabsorbed from the renal tubule, thereby causing an increase in osmolarity of the glomerular filtrate. In addition, Mannitol elevates blood plasma osmolarity. By this way, it will enhanced flow of water from tissues into interstitial fluid and plasma. D-Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic agent and a weak renal vasodilator.

Mannitol is a naturally occurring substance which will make the body losing water (diuresis) through osmosis. Mannitol helps to promote diuresis in kidneys by increasing the concentration of filtrates in the kidney and blocking water re-absorption by kidney tubules.

Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic which is metabolically inert in humans and occurs naturally, as a sugar or sugar alcohol, in fruits and vegetables. Mannitol elevates blood plasma osmolality. As a result, it will enhance water from tissues, including the brain and cerebrospinal fluid, into interstitial fluid and plasma. Thus, cerebral edema, elevated intracranial pressure, and cerebrospinal fluid volume and pressure may be reduced. Those are the benefits.

Application

• Mannitol may also be applied for the promotion of diuresis before irreversible renal failure becomes established
• Mannitol will also promote urinary excretion of toxic substances
• Mannitol sometimes may act as a renal function diagnostic aid.