title: Impairment of beta 2-adrenoceptor-stimulated potassium uptake in end-stage renal disease.
abstract: An abnormality of extrarenal mechanisms is believed to contribute importantly to the impaired potassium homeostasis in chronic renal failure. We evaluated the plasma potassium response to inhalation of albuterol, a beta 2 agonist, in eight patients who had end-stage renal disease and who were undergoing chronic hemodialysis and in eight control subjects. The purpose was to assess if an abnormality of the beta 2 adrenoceptor mechanism is present in uremia. The maximal decrement in plasma potassium concentration in the patients (0.12 +/- 0.04 mEq/L) was significantly less than that of the control subjects (0.30 +/- 0.05). Furthermore, the final plasma potassium concentration slightly exceeded baseline in the patients but was significantly reduced in controls, leading to the conclusion that an abnormal responsiveness of the beta 2 adrenoceptor may contribute to the impaired potassium tolerance found in patients who have end-stage renal disease.
authors.affiliation: Medical Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Stemmer
authors.forename: G O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Oster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D000450:Aldosterone; D011188:Potassium