Cell division in kidneys of rats fed a potassium-deficient diet

Mitoses is stimulated in the kidneys of adult rats fed a potassium-deficient diet. A statistically significant increase in mitotic figures appears first in the collecting ducts of the inner strip of the outer medulla after two days on the K+ deficient diet (P less than 0.05). After six days, mitosis also increases in the collecting ducts in the outer stripe and in the inner medulla (P less than 0.01). After eight days there is a significant rise in mitotic activity in the cells of the proximal convoluted tubule (P less than 0.01). There is a questionable increase in mitosis found only on the fifth day in the distal convoluted tubule. In all other cell types there is no statistically significant increase in cell division over the normal low levels that are observed in the cells of the controls rats.