POTASSIUM DEFICIENCY IN THE RAT

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Abstract
Weanling rats fed highly-purified, K-deficient diets containing 0.01-0.05% K failed to gain weight and died after approx. 22 days. Widespread edema and lesions in the heart, kidneys, intestines, spleen, adrenal cortex, liver and bone marrow were found in most of them. Admn. of K to stunted, K-deficient rats resulted in immediate growth at a rate (approx. 25 g./wk.) equal to that of rats fed K-adequate diets from weaning. Withdrawal of K from rapidly growing rats weighing approx. 100 g. resulted in a prompt cessation of growth,, multiple lesions and death in about 47 days. Food utilization was impaired in K-deficient rats as compared with pair-fed K-supplemented litter mates. Vits., including biotin, Lactobacillus casei factor ("folic acid"), inositol and p-amino-benzoic acid, administered in large amts. did not prevent the failure to grow, the widespread lesions and the early death in rats fed K-deficient diets. A dietary K level of approx. 0.17% appeared to be minimal for rapid growth and the prevention of lesions.