[Further research on the role of prostanoids in controlling renal function in humans in normal potassium balance and acute experimental potassium depletion. II: Studies of potassium depletion].

The renal function was evaluated by clearance (cl.) method during hypotonic polyuria and successive relative antidiuresis induced by lysine-8-vasopressin (LVP) administration. Four 15 min and two 60 min cl. periods were performed during hypotonic polyuria and antidiuresis, respectively. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated by creatinine cl.; the osmotic cl. (Cosm'CH2O), the absolute and fractional excretions of water, sodium, potassium and chloride were determined by usual methods. The urinary PGE2, 6-keto-(-)PGF1 alpha and TxB2 concentrations were determined by RIA method. The study protocol was applied on 22 healthy women in acute potassium depletion obtained by natriuretic treatment combined with replacement on quantitative basis of net salt and water urinary losses either in normal potassium diet intake (50 meq/d) or in a low one (less than or equal to 10 meq/d). In Group D3 (n = 6) in the presence of a greater potassium cumulative deficit (198.4 +/- 22.2 meq), as compared to normal potassium balance, a significant reduction of kaliemia and a significant increase of PRA were present. During hypotonic poliuria, besides a marked renal potassium conservation, a significant decrease of creatinine cl., fractional chloride reabsorption (apparently at the diluting segments) and of urinary 6KPGF and TxB2 excretions, were observed. Urinary PGE2 excretion was n.s. reduced.