Hypokalemia stimulates plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine in the rat

We examined the effect of dietary potassium depletion on plasma and urinary catecholamines in the rat. Ingestion of a potassium deficient diet for 45 days increased plasma norepinephrine by 80% and plasma epinephrine by 270%. Urinary excretion of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine were not significantly affected by hypokalemia. The results suggest that the increase in plasma catecholamines may be mediated "reflexly" by an accompanying increase in vasodilator agents or may represent a direct "stress" effect of hypokalemia on the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine.