How do catecholamines affect internal potassium balance?
β2 adrenergic stimulation by catecholamines leads to increased Na + -K + -ATPase pump activity through a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and protein kinase A dependent pathway primarily in the skeletal muscle leading to increased cellular uptake. This physiological effect is the basis for using β2 agonists like albuterol in the treatment of hyperkalemia.
