Studies on cell water and electrolytes in chronic renal failure

Studies were carried out in 10 normal subjects and in 16 patients with moderately severe chronic renal failure (CRF) to determine the quantities of potassium (K), sodium (Na) and water in muscle tissue obtained by needle biopsy and in white cells (WBC) from peripheral venous blood. Depletion of intracellular K with high levels of Na and normal water were found in patients with CRF. Therefore, the cellular electrolyte pattern was not substantially different from that reported by others in patients with advanced uremia although there was no increase in intracellular water (as can occur in end-stage CRF). These data suggest that in end-stage CRF accumulation of intracellular water could be relatively independent of intracellular electrolyte balance.