Extrarenal action of adrenal glands on potassium metabolism

¹ Department of Medicine, University of Bahia Medical School, Bahia, Brasil

Nephrectomized dogs have been used to demonstrate a relationship between extracellular pH changes and the net transfer of potassium from intracellular to extracellular fluid Similar experiments were done on adrenalectomized dogs to investigate the extrarenal action of the adrenal glands on potassium metabolism. These experiments were divided into three groups, each comprising adrenalectomized and nonadrenalectomized dogs. After bilateral nephrectomy, group A received no sodium salt, group B received isotonic sodium chloride and group C, isotonic sodium bicarbonate. Extracellular potassium, carbon dioxide of arterial blood and serum nonprotein nitrogen values were followed. In group A a more rapid development of acidosis coincident with a faster increase in extracellular potassium and nonprotein nitrogen occurred in adrenalectomized compared to nonadrenalectomized dogs. In groups B and C there were no obvious differences between adrenalectomized and nonadrenalectomized dogs. A faster breakdown of cells, which can be avoided by sodium salts, was considered responsible for the changes in the adrenalectomized dogs of group A, rather than change in permeability of intact cell membranes to potassium. These results imply a direct influence of sodium content of the body on protein catabolism, not mediated by the kidneys or the adrenal glands.