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S K Agulian

Publications and source records attributed to S K Agulian.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Oxygen tension clamp around single neurons in vitro: a computerized method for studies on O2 deprivation.

This report presents a novel computerized oxygen tension clamp for use with single neurons. One main objective for developing such a system is to be able to study the intrinsic response of single neurons to graded hypoxia. The device described in this paper is comprised of three major subsystems: (1) an oxygen monitoring subsystem, (2) a motorized perfusion subsystem and (3) a computer subsystem for data acquisition and control. The clamp uses an oxygen scavenger (sodium hydrosulfite) to decrease O2 availability. The system has many advantageous features: (a) studies on hypoxia can be carried out without using chemical metabolic inhibitors to simulate hypoxia; (b) precise control of the O2 level around a given cell is feasible for extended periods of time; (c) rapid and accurate changes in the O2 level around a cell can be made because the O2 level is continuously monitored and adjusted by a computer; (d) other cells outside of the immediate vicinity of the cell being studied are not subjected to hypoxic exposures; and (e) the system is inexpensively built around readily available components.

Cell Separation↗

Effects of formate and oxalate on chloride absorption in rat distal tubule.

We previously demonstrated that formate and oxalate stimulate Cl-transport in the rat proximal tubule in accord with a model involving NaCl uptake across the luminal membrane via Cl-/organic anion exchange in parallel with Na+/H+ exchange and organic acid recycling. The purpose of the present study was to test whether similar mechanisms contribute to Cl- transport in the rat distal tubule. In distal tubules microperfused in situ with an isotonic solution, addition of 0.5 mM formate to the luminal perfusate increased Cl- (JCl) and fluid (Jv) absorption by 77 and 93%, respectively. Addition of 5 microM oxalate increased JCl and Jv by 52 and 108%, respectively. In distal tubules perfused with a hypotonic solution, formate stimulated JCl and Jv by 85 and 98%, respectively, and oxalate stimulated JCl and Jv by 80 and 115%, respectively. Addition of 0.5 mM acetate caused no significant change in JCl and Jv. The stimulation of JCl and Jv by formate was largely abolished by addition of 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (100 microM) or ethylisopropyl-amiloride (10 microM) to the luminal perfusate. Chlorothiazide (0.5 mM) inhibited baseline JCl and Jv but caused no inhibition of the increments in Jv and JCl induced by formate. Formate stimulation of JCl and Jv was confined to early segments of the distal tubule. We conclude that formate and oxalate markedly enhance JCl and Jv in the early distal tubule by a thiazide-insensitive mechanism involving NaCl entry across the apical membrane by Cl-/organic anion exchange in parallel with Na+/H+ exchange.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Electrochemical potentials of potassium in skeletal muscle under different metabolic states.

Intracellular potassium and membrane potential were measured simultaneously by means of double-barrelled liquid ion-exchange microelectrodes in single fibers of rat thigh muscle in vivo in rats maintained in seven different metabolic states. The K+ equilibrium potential (EK) was more negative than the simultaneously measured membrane potential (Em) in the normal state by 18.4 mV. K+ loading, acute and chronic, resulted in depolarization of Em due to increased serum K+ (hyperkalemia) with no increase in intracellular K+. K+ depletion resulted in hyperpolarization of Em as plasma K+ decreased proportionately more than intracellular K+. Low Na+ diet had no effect. Intracellular K+ was decreased in acute acidosis but not in the chronic state. Thus K+ depletion and acute acidosis are associated with intracellular K+ decrease. The fact that hyperpolarization exists in the former and not the latter is a reflection that hypokalemia accompanies the former condition. The hyperpolarizing states of K+ depletion and chronic acidosis are accompanied by decreased excitability and muscle weakness.

Animals↗

Gastric pH changes following intramedullary electrical stimulation in anesthetized and decerebrate cats.

In anesthetized and decerebrate cats, a pH-sensitive glass electrode inserted into the gastric antral region through a fistula recorded immediate pH changes. In the anesthetized cats (pentobarbital sodium, 35-40 mg/kg, i.p.), electrical stimulation within the medulla oblongata with a coaxial electrode (train of pulses at 300-500 Hz for 10-30 sec; individual pulse width 0.1-0.5 msec and amplitude not exceeding 0.5 mA) induced an increase in gastric acid secretion equivalent to a delta pH of 1.26 +/- 0.1 units. In the decerebrate (following induction with ether), the same type of stimulation elicited a more intense gastric acid secretion equivalent to a delta pH of 5.18 +/- 0.09 units which is significantly different (P less than 0.001) from that recorded in the anesthetized cats. Reversible blockage of the vagus nerves eliminated these responses during the block. Our results indicate that electrical stimulation in the posterior region of the medulla oblongata evokes an immediate and significant increase in gastric acid secretion, which is mediated through the vagus nerve, and is most evident in decerebrate unanesthetized cats.

Animals↗

Agglutination kinetics of normal and diabetic adult rat hepatocytes.

This paper describes Concanavalin A-induced agglutination of viable rat hepatocytes obtained by collagenase perfusion from normal and streptozocin-treated diabetic rats. An irreversible cell-to-cell agglutination model is proposed to explain hepatocyte flocculation. The rate of agglutination is concentration dependent with respect to Concanavalin A, and is twice as fast in normal as compared to diabetic hepatocytes. Sticking probability constants ranging from 18.48 x 10(7) to 4.6 x 10(7) cm-1 . hepatocyte-1 and 8.32 x 10(7) to 2.31 x 10(7) cm-1 . hepatocyte-1 are calculated as a measure of agglutination for normal and diabetic cells respectively. These findings suggest that the cytoplasmic membranes of normal cells possess agglutinin receptors which are more numerous and/or differently arranged than those existing in diabetic cells.

Agglutination↗

Intracellular bicarbonate of skeletal muscle under different metabolic states.

Intracellular bicarbonate of single muscle fibers in vivo was measured by a direct electrometric method simultaneously with the membrane PD in rats under seven different metabolic states. From the measured intracellular bicarbonate values and the PCO2, the bicarbonate equilibrium potential and the intracellular pH were calculated. The mean intracellular [HCO3-] under normal control conditions was 10.3 +/- 0.7 mM (SE). The intracellular bicarbonate fell significantly in both chronic metabolic acidosis and chronic K+ depletion. In contrast, intracellular bicarbonate was elevated in chronic metabolic alkalosis, K+ loading, and Na+ depletion. Taking intracellular pH as an index of the acid-base status of cells, we find that whereas the calculated cell pH decreased along with the cell bicarbonate in both chronic metabolic acidosis and K+ depletion, cell pH increased along with the bicarbonate only in chronic metabolic alkalosis. Cell pH was unchanged in both chronic K+ loading and Na+ depletion.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗