Kidney Electrolyte in Rats With Alkalosis Associated With Potassium Deficiency

Abstract

Rats were subjected to diets low in K and injns. of desoxy-corticosterone acetate while on low-K diets. Serum, muscle and kidneys were analyzed in the 2 groups and compared to analyses of rats on a normal diet. The diets low in K and injns. of desoxycorticosterone acetate produced alkalosis of the serum (high HCO3 and low Cl) and decrease in muscle K and increase in intracellular Na. Excepting an increase in P, there are no changes in kidney analysis that cannot be explained by the changes in the extracellular fluids or tubular urine of the kidneys. It is unlikely that the changes in renal function in K deficiency are explained by changes in intracellular K and Na in marked alkalosis[long dash]at least by changes in a large proportion of renal tubular cells. CO2 freed from muscle by addition of H2SO4 is not increased in this type of alkalosis.