7 Potassium Homeostasis Flashcards
What is the major cation in the intracellular space?
K
What is responsible for maintaining the blanche between intracellular and extracellular space?
Na-K- ATPase
What is the most important hormone regulating the distribution of K between IC and EC space?
Insulin
What organ is primarily responsible for maintaining K homeostasis?
kidney
Where does most of excreted K come from?
Distal tubular K secretion
T-f–K is one of the most abundant cations in the body?
True
Does ECF K stay quite constant despite large fluctuations in dietary intake?
Yes
What are the two ways potassium balance is regulated?
- Distribution between ECF and ICF–[insulin]
2. Renal K excretion [Distal nephron]
What does the total body K =?
50 meq/kg (3500meq)
What is the percentage distribution of K ICF and ECF?
98% at 150 meq/L
2% at 4 meq/L
What is the normal [K] concentration in ECF?
3.5-5meq/L [Above or below is hyperkalemia or hypokalemia respectively]
What plays the major role of internal potassium balance?
trancellular shifts—critical role of Na-K ATPase
What plays the major role in external potassium balance?
kidney—excreting what excess has been ingested
How much of daily potassium intake is excreted by way of feces?
10% —10 mmole/day estimate
Is potassium secreted or filtered more by the kidneys?
filtered by a lot! [810 mmole/day vs. 50 mmole/day not all of the 810 is reabsorbed and thus amount excreted in urine is about 90]
What does epinephrine on alpha receptors lead to in terms of potassium regulation?
release K from ICF to ECF
What does epinephrine on Beta2 receptors do in regards to potassium regulation?
stimulates K uptake by cells