Beta blocker question

[StringBean]

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Anyone know how beta blockers cause kyperkalemia. I'm sure it's probably something silly that I'm not remembering but by brain is full.

Thanks,
~Bean

One more day 😱

 

[zx6r]

Insulin stimulates the movement of potassium inside of cells. Beta blockers cause hyperkalemia b/c they inhibit the secretion of insulin. With no insulin secretion, a masked hypoglycemia and hyperkalemia occur. Therefore the antidotes for beta blocker toxicity consist of glucagon and calcium gluconate. For the hypoglycemia and hyperkalemia respectively.

hope this helps

 

[Idiopathic]

While what you say is correct, I am not sure that it is the chief mechanism behind beta blockers and serum K+ rise, at least not acutely. It would certainly impact a chronic beta blockade.

Beta receptors are specifically linked to calcium-gated potassium channels, and their activation allows potassium to enter the cell directly. A blocker, therefore, will inhibit this uptake.

This is why giving albuterol can acutely affect the serum K+ level, without having to rely on insulin release.

 

[Erlomd]

I know this is a pretty old thread...(9 years old) but hey, I'll give it a go...
JG cells have Beta 1 receptors and they secrete Renin...if you give a selective Beta blocker like Propranolol, then you inhibit Renin secretion from the JG cells which will: -> decrease angiotensin I -> this will then decreases angiotensin II -> which decreases aldosterone...from the Z.Glomerulosa...causing low aldosterone -> which will then cause low sodium -> HIGH POTASSIUM & increased Hydrogen retention...(acidosis).

So you can also say that the use of cardio selective beta blockers can cause: hyponatremia, hyperkalemia & a metabolic acidosis...but, this is obviously just for the sake of learning the big picture in physiology...
You can also turn these results the other way...
HIGH RENIN = HIGH ANGIO I = HIGH ANGIO II = HIGH ALDO = HIGH Na+ = LOW K+ & LOW H+
(alkalosis)
when it comes down to it, I'm sure that the changes are not quite as drastic, but you get the picture...