Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2026

Implementing Patch Clamp and Live Fluorescence Microscopy to Monitor Functional Properties of Freshly Isolated PKD Epithelium
Published on: September 1, 2015
Elevation of serum potassium during beta blockade: absence of relationship to the renin-aldosterone system
Abstract:
Eighteen patients with essential hypertension were treated in a single-blind, crossover study with pindolol and with propranolol. The two drugs were compared because of known differences between them on renin secretion. We noted that plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentration were suppressed by propranolol but not by pindolol. Blood pressure was reduced about equally by both drugs. Serum potassium levels rose in 17 patients on pindolol (p < 0.001) and in 14 patients on propranolol (p = 0.08). Our data suggest that serum potassium elevations induced by beta blockade do not depend on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Alternative possibilities are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Antihypertensive Drugs: Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of β1 Blockers
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
Regulation of Sodium and Potassium
Sodium Regulation
Sodium ions make up approximately 90% of extracellular cations, with a normal blood plasma concentration of 136–148 mEq/L. A decrease in blood volume and pressure triggers the release of renin from granular cells in the juxtaglomerular complex (JGC), primarily in...

