Effects of Steroid Induced Potassium Depletion on Renal Control of Sodium. ∗

Summary

The loss of potassium attending repeated administration of large doses of nine-alpha-fluorohydrocortisone (FF) to dogs depressed their glomerular filtration rate. In contrast, glomerular function showed a tendency to be augmented in a group of dogs that received supplemental potassium with the steroid. The ability of FF to increase renal tubular reabsorption of sodium was observed under conditions of both potassium depletion and repletion. In the former case sodium retention was enhanced by the reduction in filtration rate but in the latter case no significant retention of sodium occurred, despite its augmented tubular reabsorption.