Adrenergic modulation of potassium metabolism during exercise in normal and diabetic humans

P. Castellino, D. C. Simonson, R. A. DeFronzo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effect of acute and chronic β- and α-adrenergic blockade on potassium homeostasis during moderate intensity exercise (40% VO2(max)) was investigated in control and insulin-dependent diabetic subjects. In protocol I, subjects were studied during 1) exercise alone, 2) exercise plus intravenous propranolol, and 3) exercise plus intravenous phentolamine. In both the control and diabetic groups, exercise alone produced a modest increase in the plasma potassium concentration (0.31 ± 0.06 meq/l), while propranolol exacerbated this hyperkalemic response. In contrast, the increment in plasma potassium during phentolamine was similar to exercise alone in normals but was 26% (P < 0.05) lower in the diabetic group. In protocol II, the effect of chronic (5 days) β-adrenergic blockade on potassium homeostasis was examined. Subjects participated in three studies: 1) exercise alone, 2) exercise plus propranolol (β12-antagonist), and 3) exercise plus metoprolol (β1 antagonist). In the nondiabetic group, both propranolol and metoprolol were associated with a 40% greater increase in potassium compared with exercise alone. In the diabetic group, propranolol, but not metoprolol, was associated with a deterioration in potassium tolerance. In no study could the alterations in potassium homeostasis be explained by a change in urinary potassium excretion. In summary, 1) α-adrenergic blockade ameliorates exercise-induced hyperkalemia in diabetic but not in control subjects, 2) nonspecific β-adrenergic blockade causes a greater increment in potassium when compared with exercise alone, and 3) specific β1-adrenergic blockade exacerbates exercise-induced hyperkalemia in control, but not in diabetic subjects. These results indicate that both α- and β-adrenergic regulation of extrarenal potassium metabolism is altered in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E68-E76
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume252
Issue number1 (15/1)
DOIs
StatePublished - 1987
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Physiology
  • Physiology (medical)

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