Effects of K + -deficient diets with and without NaCl supplementation on Na + , K + , and H 2 O transporters' abundance along the nephron

Dietary potassium (K + ) restriction and hypokalemia have been reported to change the abundance of most renal Na + and K + transporters and aquaporin-2 isoform, but results have not been consistent. The aim of this study was to reexamine Na + , K + and H 2 O transporters' pool size regulation in response to removing K + from a diet containing 0.74% NaCl, as well as from a diet containing 2% NaCl (as found in American diets) to blunt reducing total diet electrolytes. Sprague-Dawley rats ( n = 5–6) were fed for 6 days with one of these diets: 2% KCl, 0.74% NaCl (2K1Na, control chow) compared with 0.03% KCl, 0.74% NaCl (0K1Na); or 2% KCl, 2%NaCl (2K2Na) compared with 0.03% KCl, 2% NaCl (0K2Na, Na + replete). In both 0K1Na and 0K2Na there were significant decreases in: 1) plasma [K + ] (