Relationship Between Postassium and Bicarbonate in Blood and Urine

Abstract

The infusion of KCl into a normal dog produces a decrease in plasma pH and bicarbonate concn. These plasma alterations are accompanied by a decreased reabsorption of bicarbonate and an alkaline urine. The infusion of NaHCO3 produces a decrease in the plasma concn. of K, accompanied by an increment in the excretion of this ion. The mechanism by which potassium influences the renal reabsorption of bicarbonate is discussed. The relationship between the experimentally induced findings in the dog and the clinical syndrome of hypochloremic alkalosis with hypokalemia is discussed, and a mechanism implicating K in the production and amelioration of this syndrome is suggested.