POTASSIUM EXCRETION IN RENAL FAILURE IN THE RAT: THE ROLE OF DISTAL TUBULE FLOW AND ALDOSTERONE

Abstract

SUMMARY 1. This study examines the contribution of an increased distal tubule flow and of aldosterone to the handling of a potassium load in conscious rats with renal failure induced by subtotal nephrectomy or by gentamicin on a control or high K+ diet. 2. Glomerular filtration rate was reduced by subtotal nephrectomy to 40% and by gentamicin treatment to 60% of control. Subtotal nephrectomy induced significant hypertrophy of glomeruli and proximal and distal tubules, but gentamicin did not. Both experimental groups had a normal iothalamate space and plasma potassium after a 20 h fast. 3. Two hours after an acute KCl load rats with renal failure excreted less potassium than control rats. The..