Renal Regulation of Ion Concentrations Flashcards
What is the normal extracellular level of potassium?
4.2 mEq/L
What happens when there is elevated potassium in the body?
Slightly elevated to 3 or 4 will lead to cardiac arrhythmia
higher concentrations can lead to cardiac arrest or fibrillation
What percent of extracellular fluid does potassium make up?
2%
What is the normal intracellular concentration of potassium ions?
140 mEQ
What are the total amounts of potassium in the body compartments?
Extracellular= 4.2 mEQ/L x 14 L= 59 mEq
Intracellular=140 mEQ/L x 28L = 3920 mEq
What are the major factors that are responsible for potassium excretion?
- increased potassium concentration in the distal renal tubules and the collecting ducts
- aldosterone secretion
Describe the relationship between potassium and aldosterone.
Increased extracellular potassium stimulates increase in aldosterone secretion
Where are the sites of potassium reabsorption?
proximal tubule
ascending limb of Henle
Where are the sites for potassium secretion?
Late tubule and collecting duct
What is in charge of potassium secretion and sodium reabsorption and secretion?
Principal cells; stimulated by potassium concentration and aldosterone
Describe the relationship between the potassium concentration and the aldosterone secretion levels
A small change in the potassium concentration will cause large changes in the aldosterone secretion by the adrenals
Describe the process of the high potassium levels leading to potassium excretion
Increased potassium intake leads to increased plasma concentration
This leads to an increase in aldosterone and an increased potassium section in the cortical collecting tubules
Leads to increased potassium secretion
Which two channels allow the sodium to leave the cell?
BK (big potassium channel) and ROMK (renal medullary potassium channel)
What happens to the regulation of potassium concentration if the aldosterone system is blocked?
It impairs the regulation and the plasma potassium concentration sky rockets
What are conditions that cause an increase in tubular flow rate ?
- volume expansion
- high sodium intake
- some diuretics
Describe the relationship between a high potassium diet and tubular flow
a high potassium diet greatly enhances the effects of increased tubular flow rate in order to increase the K+ secretion
Describe the relationship between a high sodium intake and the renal excretion of potassium
- increased sodium intake leads to a decrease in aldosterone which leads to decreased potassium secretion in the cortical collecting ducts which leaves to an unchanged potassium excretion
- increased sodium leads to an increased GFR which increases distal tubular flow rate which leads to increased potassium secretion in the cortical ducts which will lead to potassium secretion but will have little effect on the potassium excretion
- increased sodium intake will lead to a decreased reabsorption of sodium in the proximal tubule. This will lead to an increased distal tubular flow rate which will increase the K+ secretion in the collecting ducts but will have little effect on the potassium secretion
Describe the relationship bettie a high sodium/low potassium diet and a low sodium/high potassium diet
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