[Epinephrine decreases plasma potassium].
The effects of epinephrine infusion on plasma potassium were examined in rats. Potassium infusion (1 mEq.kg-1.h-1 over 2 hours) elevated plasma potassium 4.23 mEq.l-1. Insulin (0.064 U.kg-1.h-1) combined with glucose (0.32 g.kg-1.h-1) or epinephrine (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, or 5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) added to potassium infusion significantly depressed the increments of plasma potassium levels. Epinephrine infusions (0.05 or 0.1 microgram.kg-1.min-1) were more effective than insulin infusion combined with glucose. These results suggest that epinephrine infusion may be useful for the control of hyperkalemia.
Kato
S
S
Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi.
Fujita
T
T
D000818:Animals; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D011188:Potassium; D004837:Epinephrine