Sodium and Potassium Shifts Associated with Peripheral Resistance Changes in the Dog

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Abstract
The relation of changes in peripheral vascular resistance to blood sodium and potassium activity was studied in the dog hind limb. Arterial inflow was controlled by a constant output pump in the femoral artery line. Cations were monitored with glass-to-silver cannula electrodes in the venous outflow. Vasoactive drugs were administered intra-arterially in amounts sufficient only to affect the limb vasculature. Vasoconstrietion induced by norepinephrine or epinephrine was associated with a fall in blood (Na+) and often with a rise of (K+). Larger doses tended to produce a biphasic response in (Na+), a transient initial rise preceding the fall. Vasoconstrietion induced by serotonin or angio-tensin was associated with a fall in blood (Na+) unaccompanied by any consistent change in (K+). Vasoconstrietion induced by small amounts of pitressin (small series) produced a larger fall in (Na+) and rise in (K+) than with other agents producing an equal degree of vasoconstrietion. Vasodilatation induced by isoproterenol, acetylcholine, or histamine was accompanied by a rise in blood (Na+) without any consistent change in (K+).