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Hoorn EJ, Gritter M, Cuevas CA, Fenton RA. Regulation of the Renal NaCl Cotransporter and Its Role in Potassium Homeostasis. Physiol Rev 2020; 100:321-356. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00044.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Daily dietary potassium (K+) intake may be as large as the extracellular K+ pool. To avoid acute hyperkalemia, rapid removal of K+ from the extracellular space is essential. This is achieved by translocating K+ into cells and increasing urinary K+ excretion. Emerging data now indicate that the renal thiazide-sensitive NaCl cotransporter (NCC) is critically involved in this homeostatic kaliuretic response. This suggests that the early distal convoluted tubule (DCT) is a K+ sensor that can modify sodium (Na+) delivery to downstream segments to promote or limit K+ secretion. K+ sensing is mediated by the basolateral K+ channels Kir4.1/5.1, a capacity that the DCT likely shares with other nephron segments. Thus, next to K+-induced aldosterone secretion, K+ sensing by renal epithelial cells represents a second feedback mechanism to control K+ balance. NCC’s role in K+ homeostasis has both physiological and pathophysiological implications. During hypovolemia, NCC activation by the renin-angiotensin system stimulates Na+ reabsorption while preventing K+ secretion. Conversely, NCC inactivation by high dietary K+ intake maximizes kaliuresis and limits Na+ retention, despite high aldosterone levels. NCC activation by a low-K+ diet contributes to salt-sensitive hypertension. K+-induced natriuresis through NCC offers a novel explanation for the antihypertensive effects of a high-K+ diet. A possible role for K+ in chronic kidney disease is also emerging, as epidemiological data reveal associations between higher urinary K+ excretion and improved renal outcomes. This comprehensive review will embed these novel insights on NCC regulation into existing concepts of K+ homeostasis in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewout J. Hoorn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Martin Gritter
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Catherina A. Cuevas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Robert A. Fenton
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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