Renal distal tubular secretory mechanisms in healthy Nigerian subjects.
The distal tubular secretory mechanisms of 30 healthy Nigerians were investigated. This entailed the collection of three different 24 hour urine samples; firstly basal values, secondly during the administration of 15 g of NH4Cl and finally when 5 g of KCl was given addition to 15 g NH4Cl. The basal 24 hour urinary volume was 1.36 litres with an average pH of 6.52 containing 42.74 mEq of combined acid and 114.5, 47.6 and 128.4 mEq Na+, K+ and CIce-ions respectively. During ammonium chloride ingestion the 24 hour urinary acid excretion rose to 72.35 mEq whilst the pH fell to 5.71. The values for Na+, K+ and CIce-were 183.2, 51.5 and 245 mEq respectively. When both NH4Cl and KCl were ingested urinary pH rose to 6.38, total acid excretion fell to 48.6 mEq whilst K+ excretion increased considerably to 172.1 mEq. This discussion stresses the point that though the healthy Nigerian may excrete lower values of H+ and K+ ions on the typical low protein diet; the renal distal secretory mechanism can respond appropriately when adequately challenged, as in this investigation.
Renal distal tubular secretory mechanisms in healthy Nigerian subjects. The distal tubular secretory mechanisms of 30 healthy Nigerians were investigated. This entailed the collection of three different 24 hour urine samples; firstly basal values, secondly during the administration of 15 g of NH4Cl and finally when 5 g of KCl was given addition to 15 g NH4Cl. The basal 24 hour urinary volume was 1.36 litres with an average pH of 6.52 containing 42.74 mEq of combined acid and 114.5, 47.6 and 128.4 mEq Na+, K+ and CIce-ions respectively. During ammonium chloride ingestion the 24 hour urinary acid excretion rose to 72.35 mEq whilst the pH fell to 5.71. The values for Na+, K+ and CIce-were 183.2, 51.5 and 245 mEq respectively. When both NH4Cl and KCl were ingested urinary pH rose to 6.38, total acid excretion fell to 48.6 mEq whilst K+ excretion increased considerably to 172.1 mEq. This discussion stresses the point that though the healthy Nigerian may excrete lower values of H+ and K+ ions on the typical low protein diet; the renal distal secretory mechanism can respond appropriately when adequately challenged, as in this investigation.