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Title: Mechanism of potassium depletion during chronic metabolic acidosis in the rat

Journal Article · · Am. J. Physiol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6352434

Pair-fed rats on a normal K diet were given either 1.5% NH/sub 4/Cl or water for 4 days. The acid-fed animals developed metabolic acidosis, negative K balance, and K depletion. Urinary Na excretion and urinary flow were not different between the groups beyond the first day. After the 4 days, isolated kidneys from animals in each of these groups were perfused at normal pH and bicarbonate concentrations. Urinary K excretion was similar between the groups despite the potassium depletion in the acid-fed animals. In contrast, isolated kidneys from animals with comparable K depletion induced by dietary K restriction readily conserved K. Sodium excretion and urinary flow were similar among the three groups of isolated kidneys. Plasma aldosterone concentrations were greater in the acid-fed rats after the 4 days of NH/sub 4/Cl ingestion than in the control animals. Adrenalectomized rats were treated with either normal (4 ..mu..g/day) or high (22 ..mu..g/day) aldosterone replacement while ingesting NH/sub 4/Cl for 4 days. Only in the presence of high aldosterone replacement did the acid-fed adrenalectomized animals develop K depletion. The authors conclude that chronic metabolic acidosis stimulates aldosterone secretion, and that aldosterone maintains the inappropriately high urinary potassium excretion and K depletion seen in this acid-base disorder.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Rochester, NY
OSTI ID:
6352434
Journal Information:
Am. J. Physiol.; (United States), Vol. 252:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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