The Journal of clinical investigation
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Evidence has accumulated suggesting that the state of secondary hyperparathyroidism and the elevated blood levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in uremia participate in the genesis of many uremic manifestations. The present study examined the role of PTH in glucose intolerance of chronic renal failure (CRF). Intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) and euglycemic and hyperglycemic clamp studies were performed in dogs with CRF with (NPX) and without parathyroid glands (NPX-PTX). ⋯ There were no differences in the binding affinity, binding sites concentration, and binding capacity of monocytes to insulin among NPX, NPX-PTX, and normal dogs. The data show that (a) glucose intolerance does not develop with CRF in the absence of PTH, (b) PTH does not affect metabolic clearance of insulin or tissue resistance to insulin in CRF, and (c) the normalization of metabolism in CRF in the absence of PTH is due to increased insulin secretion. The results indicate that excess PTH in CRF interferes with the ability of the beta-cells to augment insulin secretion appropriately in response to the insulin-resistant state.
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Metabolic acidosis due to organic acids infusion fails to elicit hyperkalemia. Although plasma potassium levels may rise, the increase is smaller than in mineral acid acidosis. The mechanisms responsible for the different effects of organic acid acidosis and mineral acid acidosis remain undefined, although dissimilar hormonal responses by the pancreas may explain dissimilar hormonal responses by the pancreas may explain the phenomena. ⋯ Although the tissue responsible for the different kalemic responses could not be defined with certainty, the data are compatible with an hepatic role in response to alterations in the portal vein insulin and/or glucagon levels in both acid infusion studies. We propose that cellular uptake of potassium is enhanced by hyperinsulinemia in ketoacid infusion, and release of potassium results from increased glucagon levels in HCl acidosis. Whether the changes in plasma potassium that other types od organic acid acidosis produce are accounted for by a similar hormonal mechanism remains to be determined.