Aldosterone in Metabolic Alkalosis

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Abstract

Studies have been carried out in human volunteer subjects to evaluate the role of aldosterone in the development, maintenance, and correction of metabolic alkalosis induced by selective depletion of hydrochloric acid. During the first phase of our study the rate of aldosterone secretion was measured before the induction of alkalosis (while the subjects were on a low salt diet) and again after a steady state of metabolic alkalosis had been established. The data demonstrate a fall in aldosterone secretion from a value of approximately 500 μg/day to a value of approximately 200 μg/day. Thus, it appears that an increased rate of aldosterone secretion is not a prerequisite to the elevation of the renal bicarbonate threshold.

Authors

Jerome P. Kassirer, Frederick M. Appleton, Joseph A. Chazan, William B. Schwartz