ON THE MECHANISM OF IMPAIRMENT OF RENAL CONCENTRATING ABILITY IN POTASSIUM DEFICIENCY*

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Abstract
The effect of K depletion on the composition of renal papilla, medulla and cortex was studied in dogs and rats in an effort to clarify the mechanism of the hyposthenuria produced by K deficiency. Potassium deficiency was associated with a fall in the concentration of Na and urea in the papilla and medulla of hydropenic animals. The ratio of urinary solute concentration to papillary solute concentration was uniformly lower in K depleted than in normal animals. This finding is compatible with but does not prove the hypothesis that K deficiency impairs the permeability of the collecting ducts to water. It is suggested that the defect in renal concentrating ability induced by K deficiency may be at least in part a result of impaired reabsorption of Na by the collecting ducts.

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