Biomaterial Database

Role of potassium in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure. 1991

R E Cronin, and J R Thompson

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

Potassium depletion can potentiate several experimental models of acute renal failure. It causes renal vasoconstriction, probably under the influence of vasoconstrictor prostaglandins and angiotensin II, and causes a reduction in vasodilatory prostaglandins. Aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity in experimental animals and in man causes a reduction in serum potassium and in animals it enhances the functional and histological damage produced by aminoglycosides. Chronic potassium loading protects against mercuric chloride, uranyl nitrate, and gentamicin models of acute renal failure. In the gentamicin model, protection is associated with a stimulation of renal cortical Na-K-ATPase activity and a reduction in the level of gentamicin accumulated in cortical tissue. In the clinical setting, potassium deficiency should be avoided in patients at risk for acute renal failure. However, potassium loading should also be avoided, since a falling glomerular filtration rate in the presence of a potassium load could result in potentially serious hyperkalemia.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D058186	Acute Kidney Injury	Abrupt reduction in kidney function. Acute kidney injury encompasses the entire spectrum of the syndrome including acute kidney failure; ACUTE KIDNEY TUBULAR NECROSIS; and other less severe conditions.	Acute Kidney Failure,Acute Kidney Insufficiency,Acute Renal Failure,Acute Renal Injury,Acute Renal Insufficiency,Kidney Failure, Acute,Kidney Insufficiency, Acute,Renal Failure, Acute,Renal Insufficiency, Acute,Acute Kidney Failures,Acute Kidney Injuries,Acute Kidney Insufficiencies,Acute Renal Failures,Acute Renal Injuries,Acute Renal Insufficiencies,Kidney Failures, Acute,Kidney Injuries, Acute,Kidney Injury, Acute,Kidney Insufficiencies, Acute,Renal Failures, Acute,Renal Injuries, Acute,Renal Injury, Acute,Renal Insufficiencies, Acute