Abstract
Dogs with ligated ureters were infused with KCl at rates that varied from 0.2 to 3
mEq/kg/hr, and infusion continued until the onset of cardiac manifestations of hyperkalemia,
when serum potassium ranged between 9.9 and 11.0 mEq/L. It was found that ligated
dogs were able to remove much of the infused potassium from extracellular fluid despite
the suppression of urinary excretion. Pancreatectornized dogs lost the ability to
remove infused potassium from extracellular fluid; treatment with insulin restored
it completely. Addition of insulin (5U/kg/hr) to the infused KCl markedly augmented
both the rate of potassium removal from extracellular fluid and the amount sequestered
outside the extracellular compartment. In non-pancreatectomized ligated dogs, the
maximal rate of potassium removal without exogenous insulin was ∼ 0.5 mEq/kg/hr, and
maximal potassium sequestered 3.3 mEq/kg. Insulin added to the KCl infusion increased
the rate to ∼ 1.6 mEq/kg/hr and the amount sequestered to ∼ 6.2 mEq/kg. Insulin may
have an important physiological role in the regulation of serum potassium.
Key words
Serum Potassium - Tissue Potassium - Insulin - Ureter Ligation - Pancreatectomy -
Hyperkalemia
