Basic Amino Acids as Intracellular Cations in K Deficiency

Abstract

Rats were made K deficient by diet, by the injection of desoxycorticosterone acetate, and by protein repletion of protein depleted rats fed K-free diets. The tissues were examined for increases in basic amino acids. Increased amounts of l (+) lysine, identified by chromatographic, electrophoretic, enzymatic and microbiological techniques have been found in the muscle and kidney of K-deficient animals. The lysine and/or the basic amino acid content as well as the Na, K and Cl content of muscle and plasma has been measured. Lysine contributes significantly to the total cations of muscle in K deficiency. On partial K repletion, some of this lysine is apparently completely oxidized.