Control of aldosterone secretion by change of body potassium in normal man

Abstract

Seven normal subjects were subjected to depletion and repletion of body potassium on balance regimen. Aldosterone excretion, plasma volume, and arterial pressure were measured. Potassium depletion decreased and potassium repletion consistently increased aldosterone excretion. Changes in sodium balance were prevented by restricting dietary sodium or replacing lost sodium. The effects on aldosterone excretion were thus shown to be independent of reciprocal changes in sodium balance of intravascular volume or of arterial pressure. The results suggest that changes in body potassium influence aldosterone secretion by mechanisms independent of those responsive to changes in body sodium or fluid volume.