Potassium deficiency in rats: effects on rates of dehydration and electrolyte homeostasis
1994
Francesconi, R.P. | Leva, N.M. | Johnson, C.R. | Hubbard, R.W.
1. Three groups of rats were fed a nutritionally complete (C), potassium-deficient (-K), or potassium-supplemented (+K) diet for 28 days followed by passive exposure to a moderate heat stress (Tamb = 31.5 degrees C) until a hypohydration level of 8-9% of initial body weight was achieved. 2. Significant (P < 0.05) hypokalemia was achieved in the -K group and, while final Tre was also increased (P < 0.05 vs C) in this group, time to achieve hypohydration and water loss during heat stress were unaffected. 3. Potassium (K+) levels were decreased and sodium (Na+) concentrations were increased in selected striated muscles of both the +K and -K groups (vs C), but electrolytes in critical tissues (heart, brain, kidney, liver) were unaffected by dietary intake. 4. The moderate hyperthermia achieved during the dehydration interval elicited minor effects on several indices of heat stress/injury. 5. The results suggest that the combination of consumption of a K deficient diet for 28 days and exposure to moderate heat stress did not significantly affect dehydration rates or total water loss, but a slightly elevated final Tre was observed in the -K group.
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