Ion transport in rat-liver slices

ABSTRACT

Rat-liver slices lose potassium when leached in cold saline solution, and reaccumulate potassium when incubated in warm oxygenated Ringer solution. The maximum rate of accumulation is about 5 m-equiv. of potassium/kg. dry wt./min. After the initial 10 minutes of incubation sodium loss and potassium uptake are in a 11 ratio. In the first 10 minutes of incubation nu potassium accumulates, but much sodium and water are lost. Conditions necessary for a sustained uptake of potassium to take place are described; O-tocopherol must be given to rats 24 hours before they are killed(AU)