Renal sodium conservation during starvation in the rat.

The phenomenon of natriuresis during the early phase of total starvation has been described in man and rabbit. We have examined the pattern of electrolyte excretion initiated by starvation for 4 days in the male Wistar rat. Within 24 hr sodium excretion is significantly diminished when compared to prestarvation values (control 2.55 +/- 0.76 [S.D.] mEq/day; 1-day fast 0.42 +/- 0.27) and by day 2 is less than one tenth of the control value. Chloride retention parallels this sodium conservation. Concomitant changes in urinary pH and ammonia excretion (UNH4V) reflect the mild acidosis of starvation (control pH 7.46 +/- 0.18 [S.D.], UNH4V 0.21 +/- 0.08 [S.D.] mEq/day; day 2 pH 6.10 +/- 0.31, UNH4V 0.71 +/- 0.21). However, the excretion of organic acids is not elevated but is actually decreased by day 2 (control 1.02 +/- 0.21 [S.D.] mEq/day; day 2 0.66 +/- 0.26). The majority of the organic acids are excreted as salts (day-2 0.51 +/- 0.21). This level of excretion does not obligate excessive sodium loss and can be adequately matched by renal ammonia production. Normal plasma glucose levels are maintained, consistent with the well-documented increase in renal gluconeogenesis in the starved rat. Plasma levels of glucagon, a known natriuretic and ketogenic agent, do not rise, and this together with a normal plasma glucose concentration may account for the failure of the rat to exhibit the natriuresis of starvation that is observed in man and rabbit.