RENAL EXCRETION OF POTASSIUM SALTS

Abstract

K excretion in the urine following inj. of K salts is directly correlated with serum conc. It is little affected by the particular associated anions. K excretion is a somewhat different function of serum conc. at high than at low cones. of K in serum. Clearance of K varies sharply with its conc. in serum, being greater at higher serum cones. It varies in part with glomerular filtration rate, but never approaches the latter in absolute magnitude. Intravenous inj. of neutral KBr or KCl is followed by the excretion of an intensely alkaline urine containing large amts. of bicarbonate. Intravenous inj. of neutral K2SO4 produces no change in the reaction of the urine but is followed by a marked increase in Na excretion. These expts. illustrate one type of physiological reaction which preserves the effective electroneutrality of the urine yet permits K, sulfate, and halide each to be excreted according to its characteristic law.