Potassium adaptation and Na-K-ATPase activity in mucosa of colon.

The specific activity of sodium-potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase in the mucosa of the colon rises when the dietary load of potassium is increased. The change in enzymatic activity depends on the presence of intact adrenal glands, since adrenalectomy abolishes the response of Na-K-ATPase to potassium loading. The increased secretory rate of aldosterone normally evoked by potassium loading appears to mediate at least in part of the effect of potassium loading, since aldosterone induces a discernible increase in the specific activity of Na-K-ATPase in the colon of adrenalectomized rats.