Essay On Potassium Secretion

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Potassium is freely filtered in the glomerulus. Two thirds of the potassium is reabsorbed along the proximal tubule. The potassium concentration in the proximal tubule is roughly equal to that of plasma. In the descending limb of Henle a small amount of potassium is secreted into the luminal fluid and is reabsorbed by the ascending limb of Henle. The concentration of potassium is the distal convoluted tubule is now lower than the concentration in the plasma. The connecting tubule and cortical connecting tubule actively secrete potassium into the lumen. Potassium is then reabsorbed in the medullary segment while the excess is excreted in urine.[5&6]
Potassium regulation mainly occurs in the distal tubule and the cortical collecting tubule. The Potassium balance of the body will determine if the tubules will reabsorb or secrete potassium. If body has a deficiency of potassium, reabsorption will occur, if body has excess potassium, secretion will occur. [5&6]
Mechanism of potassium secretion:[5]
In the cells of the late distal tubule and the cortical collecting tubule, the basolateral membrane contains the sodium/potassium ATPase pump and a potassium channel. The apical membrane contains both sodium and potassium channels.[5]
The pump is sensitive to the potassium concentration of the blood. When extracellular potassium increases the pump increases in activity and more potassium is taken up by the cell, when plasma concentration is low the reverse occurs. [5]
The pump exchanges three sodium molecules for two potassium molecules. In doing so an electrical gradient is formed across the basolateral membrane of the cell due to the imbalance of charge generated. The interior of the cell is negative by about 80mV in relation to the outside...

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...otassium is decreased and the intracellular concentration increases. The permeability of the apical membrane increases and potassium crosses through the potassium channels with ease. Potassium excretion is increased and plasma concentration of potassium is decreased. [5]
The changes of plasma concentration due to acid-base disturbance are usually minimal. [5]

Conclusion: [5]
Together extra-renal factors (insulin, epinephrine, aldosterone) and renal factors maintain a normal potassium plasma concentration in the body. The extra-renal mechanisms are responsible for moving potassium into the intracellular compartment. The renal mechanisms are responsible for chronic maintenance of body potassium content. When these mechanisms are functioning correctly, large intake of potassium has a minor and insignificant effect on the potassium concentration in the plasma. [5&6]

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