Potassium Depletion in Hepatic Cirrhosis

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Abstract
Seven of 17 patients with cirrhosis and impaired carbohydrate tolerance were found to have potassium depletion as judged by rises of body potassium from 12.7 to 35.8 per cent of the initial value during potassium chloride administration. Plasma insulin and growth-hormone response to the administration of glucose or arginine was initially below normal in the potassium-depleted patients but elevated above normal in those without potassium depletion. Administration of 180 mEq of potassium chloride daily for a period of two or more weeks resulted in increased body potassium, improved glucose tolerance and increased insulin and growth-hormone responses in the seven potassium-depleted cirrhotic patients, but no significant change in any of these measurements in the others. These observations indicate that potassium depletion in cirrhotic patients is associated with a diabetic glucose tolerance test and reduced output of both insulin and growth hormone and that potassium repletion may be accompanied by reversal of these abnormalities.