Glucose modulation of the disposal of an acute potassium load in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Purpose: Extrarenal potassium disposal plays an important role in the tolerance of an acute potassium load and is particularly critical in patients with renal failure. Insulin is known to stimulate this disposal by enhancing potassium uptake into the cells. Since dietary potassium is generally ingested in combination with carbohydrates, the predictable stimulation of endogenous insulin release may blunt the expected increase in plasma potassium.