Regulation of electrolytes - Michaels Flashcards
•A 35 y.o. woman visits her internist with complaints of headaches that are unresponsive to aspirin. Her blood pressure is 170/100 mm Hg. Physical exam is significant for hypertensive retinopathy. Plasma chemistries: Normal
Na+, mEq/l 144 136-145
K+, mEq/l 2.5 3.5-5.0 Cl-, mEq/l 90 96-106 HCO3-, mEq/l 35 23-29 Glucose, mg/dl 90 70-115 BUN, mg/dl 14 11-23
- Further lab work reveals low plasma renin (0.5 ng/ml/hr; normal 0.9-3.3 ng/ml/hr) and high plasma aldosterone (550 ng/l; normal 10-160 ng/l). Abdominal CT scan reveals a 3 cm mass in the rt. adrenal.
- Why is this woman hypokalemic?
Conn’s disease - an aldosterone secreting tumor in the adrenal cortex is present. This leads to increased secretion of K+ by the collecting duct.
What are two things extracellular K+ impacts?
•EC [K+] affects resting membrane potential and excitability of muscle and nerve tissue
What ranges define hyper and hypokalemia?
–Hyperkalemia: > 5.0 mEq/l
–Hypokalemia: < 3.5 mEq/l
What danger is there if K+ concentration deviates from the normal range?
Dangerous rhythm disturbances can occur
In what two segments of the nephron is K+ reabsorbed primarily?
–67% reabsorbed in proximal tubule
–20% reabsorbed in thick ascending limb of Henle’s loop (Na+,K+,2Cl- cotransport)
Where is physiological control over K+ exerted?
How is this accomplished?
the collecting duct
–Principal cells: either reabsorb or secrete K+, depending on body’s K+ balance
What is the magnitude of K+ secretion determined by?
the magnitude of K+ secretion is determined by the size of the electrochemical gradient for K+ across the luminal membrane.
Name 6 causes of increased K+ secretion
High K + diet
Hyperaldosteronism
Alkalosis
Thiazide diuretics
Loop diuretics
Luminal anions
Name 4 causes of decreased K+ secretion
Low K + diet
Hypoaldosteronism
Acidosis
K +-sparing diuretics
What are 5 factors that influence K+ secretion in the collecting duct
EC - [K+]
Aldosterone
EC - pH
Diuretics
Luminal Anions
What does aldosterone do regarding K+ levels?
•alters Na+ reabsorption and stimulates K+ secretion in collecting duct
How do diuretics impact K+ reabsorption?
Na+ reabsorption: negative luminal voltage ‘attracts’ K+ and luminal fluid flow rate: dilution of secreted K+
How do luminal anions influence K+ secretion in the collecting duct?
By altering the electronegativity of the lumen
What causes primary hyperaldosteronism? What stimulus is there? The consequence?
–Aldosterone secreting tumor in adrenal cortex
–K+ secretion by collecting duct is inappropriately stimulated
–Consequence: hypokalemia
What is the cause of Addison’s disease?
What is the consequence?
–Destruction of adrenals: aldosterone isn’t secreted
–Decreased K+ secretion in collecting duct
–Consequence: hyperkalemia
What do most classes of diuretics do with regard to K+?
•Most classes of diuretics increase Na+ and volume delivery to late distal tubule and collecting duct, which increases K+ secretion and may result in hypokalemia
What are the consequences of a low-sodium diet?
•Low-sodium diet: less Na+ delivery to late distal tubule, collecting duct —> less K+ secretion, excretion —> may cause hyperkalemia
What are 6 factors that push for K+ secretion?
- Hypokalemia
- acidemia
- hyperosmolality
- Ischemia; cell damage
- Alpha-adrenergic agonists
- heavy exercise
7.
What are 4 factors that push for K+ uptake?
- Hyperkalemia
- Alkalemia
- Beta-adrenergic agonists
- Insulin
What cell type is this?
Alpha-Intercalated Cell
Cell type?
Principle cell
What do osmotic diuretics do?
•(e.g. mannitol): inhibit reabsorption of water and, secondarily, Na+
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors do what?
(e.g. acetazolamide): inhibit NaHCO3- reabsorption
What mechanism do loop diuretics impact?
•Inhibits Na+,K+,2Cl- cotransporter by competing for Cl-
What impact do loop diuretics have on RBF? How about the solute concentration of the medullary interstitium?
Increase total RBF and dissipate high solute concentration of the medullary interstitium.
What is the ultimate impact of loop diuretics on the loop of henle?
What mechanism do Thiazide diuretics inhibit?
–Na+,Cl- cotransport