title: Heparin mediates transmembrane potassium transfer in hyperkalemic dogs.
abstract: Unheparinized, ureter-ligated control dogs that are potassium loaded, i.e., infused with 2 mEq of KCl/kg until prelethal electrocardiographic changes of hyperkalemic cardiotoxicity appear (end point), transfer 57 +/- 4% (1.7 +/- 0.1 mEq/kg) of administered potassium to intracellular fluid. Heparinized controls transfer 73 +/- 1% (3.2 +/- 0.2 mEq/kg); with simultaneous alpha-adrenoreceptor blockade, that proportion increases to 81 +/- 2% (4.80 +/- 0.7 mEq/kg) and with simultaneous beta-receptor blockade it is 58 +/- 3% (1.1 +/- 0.1 mEq/kg). In potassium loaded, ureter-ligated dogs, heparin increases transmembrane potassium transfer as effectively as does a dosage of atropine large enough to cross the blood-brain barrier and its influence on potassium transfer, like that of atropine, is suppressed by beta-adrenoreceptor blockade.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hiatt
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hiatt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin; D011433:Propranolol; D011188:Potassium; D010646:Phentolamine