Action of Digoxin and Insulin on Transport of Glucose through Myocardial Cell Membrane

Galactose transport into the myocardium of the anesthetized intact dog was measured as function of time following administration of either digoxin (0.065 mg/kg) or insulin (1 unit/kg). Administration of these drugs resulted in an increase in galactose entry and accumulation in the myocardium, thus indicating an increase in rate of glucose transport into this tissue. The data support the conclusion that digoxin increases myocardial glucose metabolism by facilitating entry of glucose into the myocardial cell.