SUPPRESSION OF SODIUM EXCRETION BY THE COLON IN CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE AND CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER DEMONSTRATED BY THE USE OF CATION EXCHANGE RESINS 1

Abstract

With the use of cation exchange resin it has been demonstrated that the colon of the edematous patient retains Na to a greater degree than the colon of the normal subject. Under similar circumstances of diet and resin admn. normal subjects excreted in the feces on the avg. 46 [plus or minus] 15 meq. Na/g. of N while edematous patients averaged 19+5 meq./g. of N. This suppression of Na excretion by the colon of the edematous patient is part of a generalized phenomenon involving the kidney, sweat gland, and salivary gland. The inference is drawn that the accumulation of edema in congestive heart failure and cirrhosis of the liver is at least partly mediated through a disturbance in the hormonal control of Na excretion.