Extracellular Potassium Homeostasis: Insights from Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis

Chih-Jen Cheng; Elizabeth Kuo; Chou-Long Huang

doi:10.1016/j.semnephrol.2013.04.004

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Extracellular Potassium Homeostasis: Insights from Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Extracellular Potassium Homeostasis: Insights from Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis

Chih-Jen Cheng, Elizabeth Kuo and Chou-Long Huang

Seminars in nephrology, Vol.33(3), pp.237-247

05/2013

DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2013.04.004

PMCID: PMC4131448

PMID: 23953801

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http://doi.org/10.1016/j.semnephrol.2013.04.004View

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Abstract

The extracellular potassium makes up only about 2% of the total body potassium store. The majority of the body potassium is distributed in the intracellular space, and of which about 80% is in skeletal muscle. Movement of potassium in and out of skeletal muscle thus plays a pivotal role in extracellular potassium homeostasis. The exchange of potassium between the extracellular space and skeletal muscle is mediated by specific membrane transporters. These include potassium uptake by Na + , K + -ATPase and release by inward rectifier K + channels. These processes are regulated by circulating hormones, peptides, ions, and by physical activity of muscle as well as dietary potassium intake. Pharmaceutical agents, poisons and disease conditions also affect the exchange and alter extracellular potassium concentration. Here, we review extracellular potassium homeostasis focusing on factors and conditions that influence the balance of potassium movement in skeletal muscle. Recent findings that mutations of a skeletal muscle-specific inward rectifier K + channel cause hypokalemic periodic paralysis provide interesting insights into the role of skeletal muscle in extracellular potassium homeostasis. These recent findings will be reviewed.

Hypokalemia-induced paradoxical depolarization

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis

Na+, K+-ATPase

Inward rectifier K+ channel

Kir

Skeletal muscle

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

Details

Title: Subtitle: Extracellular Potassium Homeostasis: Insights from Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis
Creators: Chih-Jen Cheng - Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
Elizabeth Kuo - Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
Chou-Long Huang - Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Seminars in nephrology, Vol.33(3), pp.237-247
DOI: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2013.04.004
PMID: 23953801
PMCID: PMC4131448
NLM abbreviation: Semin Nephrol
ISSN: 0270-9295
eISSN: 1558-4488
Language: English
Date published: 05/2013
Academic Unit: Nephrology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984094533202771

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