Liquorice, Liddle, Bartter or Gitelman-how to differentiate?

Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2019 Jan 1;34(1):38-39. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfy199.

Abstract

Hypokalaemia with alkalosis can suggest excess aldosterone. Aldosterone stimulates the collecting duct mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) to upregulate the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and stimulate electrogenic sodium reabsorption, with secretion of potassium and protons. Gitelman, Bartter and Liddle syndrome, and liquorice ingestion all cause hypokalaemic alkalosis. This mini-review outlines the pathophysiology of these conditions as well as how to differentiate them.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aldosterone / metabolism
  • Alkalosis / diagnosis*
  • Alkalosis / etiology
  • Alkalosis / metabolism
  • Bartter Syndrome / complications
  • Bartter Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Bartter Syndrome / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epithelial Sodium Channels / metabolism
  • Glycyrrhiza / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Hypokalemia / diagnosis*
  • Hypokalemia / etiology
  • Hypokalemia / metabolism
  • Kidney Tubules / metabolism
  • Potassium / metabolism
  • Sodium / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Epithelial Sodium Channels
  • Aldosterone
  • Sodium
  • Potassium