title: Effects of dietary acidification and potassium depletion on acid-base balance, mineral metabolism and renal function in adult cats.
abstract: Effects of dietary potassium restriction, with or without dietary acidification, on acid-base balance, mineral metabolism and renal function were evaluated in 12 adult cats. Six cats were fed a potassium-restricted diet (0.2% potassium) for 8 wk, and six cats were fed the same potassium-restricted diet plus a dietary acidifier (0.8% NH4Cl) for 8 wk. Both groups of cats were then fed the same diet supplemented with potassium gluconate (0.7% dietary potassium) for an additional 4 wk. Renal function was evaluated before treatment and again at 8 and 12 wk. Serum potassium concentration declined in all cats by wk 1 and was also lower in NH4Cl-treated cats at 2, 3, 6 and 8 wk than in control cats. Metabolic acidosis developed in both groups of cats. Dietary balance studies indicated negative potassium balance in NH4Cl-treated cats. Glomerular filtration rate declined significantly in NH4Cl-treated cats after 8 wk but was unchanged in control cats. From the results of this study, we conclude that adding a dietary acidifier to a potassium-restricted diet worsens hypokalemia, possibly by affecting gastrointestinal potassium handling, and induces severe metabolic acidosis and renal dysfunction in adult cats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Dow
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fettman
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hamar
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Nagode
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Refsal
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Wilke
mesh_terms: D000141:Acidosis, Renal Tubular / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D000643:Ammonium Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000097:blood; D002415:Cats; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008903:Minerals / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D011188:Potassium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D000643:Ammonium Chloride; D000450:Aldosterone; D003404:Creatinine; D002117:Calcitriol; D011188:Potassium