Toward an integrative concept of control of total body sodium

Total body sodium (TBSodium) is a major determinant of body water and arter ial pressure. Several observations, in particular that of a "sodium memory, " indicate that TBSodium is a controlled variable. Various regulatory eleme nts are involved, e.g., the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, atrial re ceptors, and venal arterial pressure. Balance studies in dogs provide new i nsights into their contributions to TBSodium control.