The effect of ammonium chloride and sodium bicarbonate on the urinary excretion of magnesium, calcium, and phosphate

Six normal subjects showed mean or average increases, which were statistically significant, in urinary output of magnesium (+4.99 mEq.), calcium (+22.86 mEq.), and phosphate (+18.2 mM.) during 5 days of ingestion of ammonium chloride, as compared to a 5-day control period. This occurred despite differences in the intake of electrolytes, age, sex, or weight. The possible significance of the loss of magnesium during diuretic therapy was discussed. During ingestion of sodium bicarbonate there was a mean decrease over the control period which was statistically significant only for urinary output of calcium (−3.81 mEq.).