DISTRIBUTION IN BODY FLUIDS AND EXCRETION OF INGESTED AMMONIUM CHLORIDE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, AND SODIUM CHLORIDE

Abstract

Single large doses of NH4C1, KC1 and NaCl were administered by mouth to a human subject, and the changes in serum electrolytes, interstitial fluid vol., and electrolyte excretion were observed for several hrs. These changes suggest the following conclusions: The increment in serum Cl concn. following the administration of each salt approximated that estimated by assuming that the retained Cl diffused into the interstitial fluid only, and did not enter the tissue cells. The increment in serum urea conc. following NH4Cl administration approximated that estimated by assuming that the retained N is entirely changed to urea, which diffused into the total body fluids, both intra- and extracellular. The increment in serum K conc. after EC1 administration approximates that estimated by assuming that the retained K, like urea, diffused into the total body fluids. Serum bicarbonate after NH4C1 administration was reduced by acid decomposition. After KCL administration it was also reduced; about 1/3 of the fall in serum HCO3 was accounted for by excretion of bicarbonate in the urine, and for the other 2/3 the probable exit was by diffusion as KHCO3 into the tissue cells, although the possibility of HCO3 decomposition by accelerated acid formation in the body was not excluded. After NaCl administration, serum bicarbonate was not appreciably affected.