Abstract
Summary and Conclusions
Rats were depleted of potassium and half the group was injected with ADH when mildly depleted, moderately depleted and severely depleted; simultaneously, half the rats on stock diet were given ADH. The antidiuretic action of ADH was enhanced in the presence of mild potassium depletion; in moderate potassium depletion the antidiuretic effect of ADH was diminished; in severe potassium depletion ADH induced prompt polyuria. These results suggest that the lack of edema, and the presence of polyuria in primary aldosteronism are due to ineffectiveness or to blocking of endogenous ADH, not as a result of a direct antagonistic action of aldosterone, but as a result of the potassium depletion.
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