Mechanism by which potassium increases aldosterone secretion in the dog

¹ Clinical Endocrinology Branch, National Heart Institute, Bethesda, Maryland

Infusion of potassium-containing solutions into the carotid arteries of anesthetized dogs led to rates of adrenal secretion of aldosterone which were increased above control rates determined during infusion of dextrose and water. Infusion of potassium at the same rate into a brachial vein or femoral artery did not lead to increased rates of aldosterone secretion, despite similar rises in peripheral serum potassium concentration. The increase in rate of aldosterone secretion was not prevented by previous denervation of the carotid arteries. There was no correlation of increases in rates of aldosterone secretion with changes in rates of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid secretion. The results suggest that potassium may act at some intracranial site to stimulate increase in aldosterone secretion, probably through some mechanism other than ACTH release.