Sodium plays an important role in controlling the total body water and its distribution. Sodium is the main cation in the extracellular fluid and comprises >90% of total cations. The acetate component is an alternate source of bicarbonate by metabolic conversion in the liver. Potassium chloride is a major cation of the intracellular fluid. It plays an active role in the conduction of nerve impulses in the heart, brain and skeletal muscle; contraction of cardiac skeletal and smooth muscles; maintenance of normal renal function, acid-base balance, carbohydrate metabolism and gastric secretion. Sodium chloride is the major extracellular cation. It is...