Electrolyte changes in blood, urine, and tissues after lipid and other test meals

¹ Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Oregon Medical School, Portland, Oregon

Hamsters were fed large (8 g/kg) test meals of cream, cod liver oil, carbohydrate, and protein and the Ca, Na, and K levels in red blood cells, serum, urine, and tissues were determined. 1) Urinary changes consisted of a decrease in Ca and Na 4–7 hr after both cream and cod liver oil meals. These changes were most marked after cream. Potassium excretion also decreased after cod liver oil meals, but increased after cream meals. 2) Seven hours after lipid meals both Ca and K were decreased in red blood cells. At the same time Ca and Na decreased in serum after cod liver oil meals, and the K initially increased after both lipid meals. 3) Cation changes in the heart 7 hr after feeding consisted of a reduction in Ca and Na, and a possible increase in K after cream. These changes did not occur after test meals of water, protein, carbohydrate, or cod liver oil. 4) In the brain, Ca, Na, and K were all decreased 7 hr after cream meals, and increased by all other meals. 5) Significant dehydration of all tissues was present 7 hr after cream meals. This was not observed after any other test meals.