concanavalin-a and Hypokalemia

Zinc-free insulin elicited a reduction in the potassium conductance of muscle fibers from potassium-depleted muscle, which led to depolarization, blockage of action-poteintial mechanism, and paralysis. These changes are proposed as the mechanism of insulin-induced paralysis in patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis. A similar effect by concanavalin a suggests that the effect may be mediated through the insulin receptors.

Topics: Action Potentials; Animals; Concanavalin A; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Hypokalemia; Insulin; Muscles; Paralyses, Familial Periodic; Paralysis; Potassium; Rats; Receptors, Drug