Influence of Basal Insulin and Glucagon Secretion on Potassium and Sodium Metabolism: STUDIES WITH SOMATOSTATIN IN NORMAL DOGS AND IN NORMAL AND DIABETIC HUMAN BEINGS

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Abstract

To examine the role of basal insulin and glucagon secretion in potassium and sodium homeostasis, somatostatin, a potent inhibitor of insulin and glucagon secretion, was infused for 5 h into healthy human subjects, maturity-onset diabetes, juvenile-onset diabetics, and normal dogs. Infusion of somatostatin resulted in an increase in serum potassium (0.5-0.6 meq/liter) in normal subjects and maturity-onset diabetics, but not in juvenile-onset diabetics despite equivalent reductions in plasma glucagon in all three groups. A similar rise in serum potassium was observed in normal conscious dogs given somatostatin and was reversed by insulin replacement. Urinary excretion of potassium was unaffected by somatostatin.

Authors

Ralph A. Defronzo, Robert S. Sherwin, Mark Dillingham, Rosa Hendler, William V. Tamborlane, Philip Felig