Provocation and Prevention of Potassium Deficiency by Various Ions. ∗

Abstract

Summary and conclusions

When rats are kept on a “Low Potassium Diet ”that contains only near minimal maintenance levels of Mg, there develop cardiac necroses which can be prevented both by KCl and by MgCl₂ administration. On the other hand, Na₂HPO₄ (unlike equivalent amounts of NaCl) rapidly provokes development of severe cardiac necroses, nephrocalcinosis and muscular cramps before this diet, in itself, produces any obvious morbid changes. The particularly severe K and/or Mg-deficiency syndrome induced by Na₂ HPO₄- supplements, in animals on this diet, can be prevented by either KCl or MgCl_2. These observations highlight the importance of PO₄- and Mg-ions in the development of the syndrome usually ascribed to K-deficiency.