Insulin is use to prevent hyperkalaemia

Hyperkalaemia is increase in Plasma potassium level above 5.5 mmole/litre

CAUSES:

1) Impaired Excretion :

1. Acute kidney injury
2. Cirrhosis
3. Drug intake [NSAIDs]

2) Transcellular shifts :

1. Acidosis
2. Hyperglycemia

TREATMENT

• Insulin indirectly stimulates Na-K ATPase Pump.
• Which Causes 3 Na out and 2 K inside the cell.
• So Potassium enters the cell and its concentration decrease in the blood stream (Mainly in skeletal muscle cell)

IMPORTANT NOTE : Insulin is given in conjugation with glucose to prevent hypoglycaemia. MECHANISM

1. Insulin Activate Na-Glucose transporter
2. Na and Glucose enter in the cell
3. Na-K pump Action : 3 Na+ OUT and 2 K+ IN
4. K+ concentration in plasma decreases
5. Hyperkalemia Prevented