METABOLIC EFFECTS OF MARKED SODIUM RESTRICTION IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS. SKIN ELECTROLYTE LOSSES 1

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Abstract
The loss of Na, K, and Cl from the skin was measured in 7 patients[long dash]6 hypertensives and one normal[long dash]all of whom had been on a low Na, low Cl, normal K diet for periods ranging from 26 to 150 days when the experiments began. The measured losses amounted to 0.09 -2.59 meq/day, 0.08-2.69 meq/day, and 0.29-1.71 meq/day for Na, K, and Cl, respectively. Among the 7 patients the 1 with malignant hypertension lost the smallest amounts of these electrolytes from the skin; the normal control had values roughly mid-way between the extremely low values of that patient and the greater losses of the 5 patients with essential hypertension. Data indicate that despite the rigid dietary restrictions, electrolyte balance was possible among the 6 members with good renal function. The skin washings for the 7- and 3-day periods contained very similar amounts of electrolytes. Therefore, it was proposed that at some unknown concentration on the skin surface, reabsorption of electrolyte might begin and continue until the usual situation had been reestablished.

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