Provocation and Prevention of Potassium Deficiency by Various Ions.

Abstract

When rats are kept on a "low potassium diet" that contains minimal maintenance levels of Mg, there develop cardiac necroses which can be prevented both by KC1 and by MgCl2 administration. On the other hand, Na2HPO4 (unlike equivalent amounts of NaCl) rapidly provokes the development of severe cardiac necroses, nephrocalcinosis and muscular cramps before this diet, in itself, produces any obvious morbid changes. The particularly severe K-and/or Mg-deficiency syndrome induced by Na2HPO4-supplements, in animals on this diet, can be prevented by either KC1 or MgCl2-These observations highlight the importance of PO4- and Mg-ions in the development of the syndrome usually ascribed to K-deficiency.