Basic research: Salt wasting in distal renal tubular acidosis-new look, old problem.

ABSTRACT

Acidosis affects sodium and potassium excretion, likely via the pH sensitivity of ion transporters. A recent paper shows that ß-intercalated cells with deleted H(+)-ATPase release ATP into urine, which induces the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). PGE2 then reduces sodium absorption in the principal cells of the cortical collecting tubule and increases potassium secretion.