Effect of Galactose on Urinary Electrolyte Excretion in Man.

Summary A prompt, significant increase in urinary excretions of magnesium and calcium and a decrease in urinary excretion of potassium follows ingestion of ethanol and galactose. The oxidative metabolism of alcohol and galactose are rate-limited by the availability of the DPN-flavoprotein-cytochrome enzymes for hydrogen transport. If the cation transport mechanisms were dependent upon this same respiratory system, a competitive inhibition of magnesium and calcium reabsorption and potassium secretion in the distal tubule might well explain our findings.