The influence of potassium and ACTH on plasma-aldosterone regulation in anephric patients.

After increasing the intracellular potassium concentration of seven anephric patients without changing the total body potassium, by administration of insulin-glucose, the plasma-aldosterone concentration increased significantly to 180 percent of the pre-infusion value despite a drop in plasma potassium. A significant correlation between the decrease in the plasma potassium and the increase in plasma aldosterone concentration was found. Plasma cortisol remained unaffected. ACTH stimulation of five anephric patients resulted in a significant simultaneous increase in plasma aldosterone as well as in plasma cortisol. These studies indicate that changes in the intracellular potassium concentration, as well as ACTH stimulation, are important regulators of the aldosterone secretion in anephric patients.